W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1254 of 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.09.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN W.P.Crl.(MD) No.1254 of 2025 Ramar ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar. 2.The Tahsildar, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhuangar District. 3.The Village Administrative of Officer, Ayan Kollankondan Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District. 4.The Inspector of Police, Sethur Police Station, Virudhunagar District. 5.K.Jayakumar ...Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to consider the petitioners representation, dated 26.08.2025 in accordance with law, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court and to grant permission for the peaceful conduct of the temple festival at Arulmigu Sri Sangili 1/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1254 of 2025 Karuppasamy Temple, Nakkaneri Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhuangar District on 07.09.2025 and 08.09.2025 including the performance of all customary rituals such as goat sacrifice, sami aadudhal and traditional assembling of devotees at night and to provide necessary police protection and prevent any obstruction of interference by third parties. For Petitioner : Mr.Y.Prakash For R1 to R3 : Mr.D.S.Nedunchezhian Government Advocate (civil) For R4 : Mr.R.M.Anbunithi Additional Public Prosecutor ORDER The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent Nos.1 to 4 to consider his representation dated 26.08.2025 and consequently permit the conduct of the festival at Arulmigu Sri Sangili Karuppasamy Temple, Nakkaneri Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District, on 07.09.2025 and 08.09.2025, including the performance of customary rituals such as goat sacrifice, Sami Aadudhal, and the traditional night assembly of devotees, and to provide necessary police protection for the same. 2/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1254 of 2025 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that, pursuant to an earlier order of this Court in W.P.(MD) No.21773 of 2025, a Peace Committee Meeting was conducted on 14.08.2025 in the presence of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Deputy Collector, Tahsildar, Regional Joint Tahsildar, Inspector of Police and Sub-Inspector of Police, and an order was passed imposing certain conditions. It was directed that the festival shall be conducted in a peaceful manner; that both groups shall not conduct Aadal Paadal, goat sacrifice, or use of mike sets; that no person shall stay in the temple premises during night hours; and that, in order to ensure peaceful conduct of the festival, the respondent Police shall provide necessary protection. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would further submit that the petitioner and other villagers belonging to his group are agreeable to the decision taken in the Peace Committee Meeting. However, they are aggrieved by the condition imposed therein, restraining them from performing goat sacrifice and other customary rituals. 3/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1254 of 2025 4. The learned Government Advocate would submit that the rights of the rival groups in the village have not been determined by the competent Civil Court. In order to maintain law and order, a Peace Committee Meeting was convened and a decision was taken permitting both groups to participate in the temple festival for worship, subject to certain conditions. 5. He would further submit that those conditions are essential to maintain the law and order and constitute reasonable restrictions that are necessary in the facts of the case. 6. The learned Government Advocate would submit that the fifth respondent has filed a suit against the petitioner and others with regard to right over the conduct of the festival. 7. From the minutes of the Peace Committee Meeting held on 14.08.2025, it is evident that the rights of the two groups of villagers to conduct the temple festival have not been determined by any Civil Court. Admittedly, there is a rival claim by the 5th respondent to exclusively conduct the temple festival. In these circumstances, the respondent Nos.1 and 2 have permitted both the petitioner and the 5th respondent along with their respective supporters 4/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1254 of 2025 to participate in the festival. Anticipating a law and order situation, certain conditions were imposed in the said Peace Committee Meeting, which include preventing the petitioner and others from performing animal sacrifice, conducting Aadal Paadal functions and using mike sets. 8. In the light of the rival claims and the subsequent conduct of the Peace Committee Meeting, this Court is of the view that the restrictions imposed therein are justified in order to maintain law and order. Hence, the petitioner cannot claim, as a matter of right, to perform all the rituals as sought by him. Accordingly, this Court directs that the temple festival shall be conducted strictly in accordance with the directions and conditions issued in the Peace Committee Meeting held on 14.08.2025. The fourth respondent is directed to ensure that the festival is conducted in compliance with the said decision. 9. With the above observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 04.09.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Indu 5/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1254 of 2025 To 1.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar. 2.The Tahsildar, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhuangar District. 3.The Village Administrative of Officer, Ayan Kollankondan Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District. 4.The Inspector of Police, Sethur Police Station, Virudhunagar District. 5.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 6/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1254 of 2025 SUNDER MOHAN, J. Indu W.P.Crl.(MD).No.1254 of 2025 04.09.2025 7/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis