WP Crl. No. 1117 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 7 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06-05-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI WP.Crl. No. 1117 of 2026 and WPMP.Crl. No. 369 of 2026 K.T.R.Raja Karuppan Chetty S/o.K.T.Ranganathan Chettiar, No.3-A, Damodarapuram Main Road, Adyar, Chennai 600 020. ..Petitioner Vs 1. The Director General of Police, Chennai Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004. 2. The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai No. 132, E V K Sampath Road, Vepery, Chennai 600 007. 3. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai No. 132, E V K Sampath Road, Vepery, Chennai 600 007. 4. Dhanaselvan The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mylapore Range, Kutchery Road, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004. 5. Ramesh Kannan The Inspector of Police, E-5 Foreshore Estate Police Station. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1117 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 7 6. M.A.M.M. Annamalai S/o.M.A.M.Muthaiah, 7. M.A.M.R.Muthiah @ Ayyappan S/o.Sekkappa Chettiar ..Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition (Criminal) is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents 1 to 4 from in any manner interfering with or obstructing the conduct of funeral rites, religious ceremonies and customary observances of Late Dr.(smt).Meena Muthiah at the premises situated at ‘Small Bungalow’, Greenways Road, Chennai and further direct the respondents 1 to 4 to forthwith permanently remove the lock illegally affixed upon the said premises and restore free, peaceful and uninterrupted ingress and egress thereto. For Petitioner: Mr.Krishnan Srinivasan, Senior Counsel for Mr.Vadiraj Anirudh S G For Respondents: Mr.A.Damodaran Additional Public Prosecutor for R1 to R5 Mr.AR.L.Sundaresh, Senior Counsel for Mr.Palani Muthu for R6 Mr.Manisankar for Mr.T.Balaji for R7 ORDER This Writ Petition (Criminal) is filed seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 4 to refrain from interfering with or obstructing, in any manner, the conduct of funeral rites, religious ceremonies, and customary observances for the late https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1117 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 7 Dr. (Smt) Meena Muthiah at the premises known as "Small Bungalow," Greenways Road, Chennai. 2. Mr.Krishnan Srinivasan, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that petitioner is the executor of the Will executed by the late Dr.Smt).Meena Muthiah, who passed away in Ooty on 02.05.2026. Following the return of her mortal remains to the 'Small Bungalow' on Greenways Road and the completion of her funeral rites on 03.05.2026, a legal dispute has emerged regarding the premises. He further submits that the 6th & 7th respondents have forcibly locked the entire bungalow, thereby preventing relatives from accessing the premises to perform the 7th day ceremonies and other mandatory final rites of Dr.(Smt).Meena Muthiah. Seeking the indulgence of this Court to allow access for the completion of these religious and customary observances, this Writ Petition is filed. 3. Mr.A.Damodaran, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents 1 to 5 submits that a counter-complaint has been lodged by the 6th & 7th respondents, who are the son and nephew of the late Dr. (Smt).Meena Muthiah. In this regard, C.S.R.No.98 of 2026 has been issued. He further submits that regarding the complaint given by the petitioner, C.S.R.No.99 of 2026 was issued and FIR has been registered under Section 145 of the Cr.P.C.,/164 of BNSS and the matter is now pending before the Revenue https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1117 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 7 Divisional Officer, Mylapore, whose decision is awaited. 4. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the 6th & 7th respondents categorically contended that the petitioner has no standing to profess grief for the demise of the 6th respondent’s mother, characterising such a display as “crocodile tears”. It was argued that the primary right to perform the funeral and subsequent rituals vests with the 6th respondent and that it is not for the petitioner to interfere under the guise of mourning. He further submits that the 6th respondent will carry out the 7th day rituals in accordance with custom and will permit all relatives to pay their respects to the late Dr.(Smt).Meena Muthiah. Therefore, the petitioner has no right whatsoever to interfere with the conduct of the ceremonies relating to the death of the 6th respondent’s mother. 5. Heard both sides and carefully perused the records. 6. The crux of the issue pertains to the conduct of the seventh day rituals following the demise of Dr.(Smt).Meena Muthiah. It is needless to say that the 6th & 7th respondents are son and nephew of Dr.(Smt).Meena Muthiah. The learned Senior Counsel has given an undertaking to the Court that he will ensure full cooperation with the police for the opening of the 'Small Bungalow' on Greenways Road, Chennai. This undertaking is given to facilitate the entry of relatives and well-wishers to participate in the seventh-day and https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1117 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 7 subsequent ceremonies. The same is hereby recorded. 7. Consequently, the police are directed to open the premises known as the 'Small Bungalow' from 07.05.2026 to 15.05.2026. During this period, all relatives of the deceased shall be permitted to attend the rituals and customary observances. On the completion of the fifteenth-day ceremony on 15.05.2026, the police are directed to re-secure and lock the property. It is made clear that this order is passed solely to facilitate the performance of religious and customary rites. Any dispute regarding the title or possession of the property shall be adjudicated and resolved before the appropriate Civil Court. 8. With the above directions, this Writ Petition (Criminal) is disposed of. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. No costs. 06-05-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No sma/rpl To 1.The Director General of Police, Chennai Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004. 2.The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1117 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 7 No. 132, E V K Sampath Road, Vepery, Chennai 600 007. 3.The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai No. 132, E V K Sampath Road, Vepery, Chennai 600 007. 4.Dhanaselvan The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mylapore Range, Kutchery Road, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004. 5.Ramesh Kannan The Inspector of Police, E-5 Foreshore Estate Police Station. 6.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1117 of 2026 __________ Page7 of 7 L.VICTORIA GOWRI J. sma/rpl WP.Crl. No. 1117 of 2026 and WPMP.Crl. No. 369 of 2026 06-05-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis