W.P(MD)No.24139 of 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.11.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P(MD)No.24139 of 2025 V.Panchavarnam ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Fort St., George, Chennai-09. 2.The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Represented by its Member Secretary, Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthaiyah Road, Periyamedu, Chennai-03. 3.The Member Secretary / General Manager (i/c), Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthaiyah Road, Periyamedu, Chennai-03. ... Respondents (R1 & R3 are deleted vide Court order dated 04.09.2025 in W.P.(MD)No.24139 of 2025 by GRSJ) 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 3 to appoint qualified referees for the Silambam events which are scheduled for this current years Chief Ministers Trophy based on the representation of the aggrieved students dated 22.08.2025 and 28.08.2025, within a time frame as stipulated by this Court. 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.24139 of 2025 For Petitioner : Mr.S.Ramanathan For Respondent : Mr.J.Ravindhran Additional Advocate General assisted by M/s.N.S.Tanvi for R2 ORDER Heard both sides. 2. The writ petitioner's son was a participant in a silambam tournament. Strictly speaking, the prayer in the writ petition has become infructuous. The grievance of the writ petitioner is that unqualified referees had participated and judged the events. I do not want to go into this controversy. 3. The learned Additional Advocate General has stated that in future, the following procedure will be adopted:- “2. The Sport Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) proposes to form a committee which is headed by an official nominated by SDAT. This Committee will have members nominated by - (i) Chief Inspector of Physical Education (CIPE), (ii) Tamil Nadu Physical Education & Sports University, (iii) Central University of Tamil Nadu at Thiruvarur and (iv) SDAT” 3. The persons so nominated to this Committee under clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, shall be persons who are experienced in the sport of Silambattam. The Central University of Tamil Nadu at Thiruvarur shall nominate only such persons who are connected to 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.24139 of 2025 their Diploma in Silambattam Education course. (4). This Committee shall formulate the standards for the game and the referees to conduct the matches and submit the same to SDAT. Once these standards have been notified by SDAT, CIPE, TNPESU shall nominate those persons who are experienced with the sport of Silambattam to SDAT to undergo training for the standards which are formulated above. Once such persons undergo training from SDAT and after assessment of their training, SDAT will certify them to be fit to be referees for the sport of Silambattam.” A memo has also been filed to the above effect. 4. Recording the stand of the second respondent made through the learned Additional Advocate General, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 17.11.2025 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No rmi To The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Represented by its Member Secretary, Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthaiyah Road, Periyamedu, Chennai-03. 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.24139 of 2025 G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J. rmi W.P(MD)No.24139 of 2025 17.11.2025 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis