W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1866 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 02.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1866 of 2026 Suryakumar ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Superintendent of Police, O/o The Superintendent of Police, Surveyor Colony, K. Puthur, Madurai District. 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o. the Revenue Commissioner, Usilampatti, Madurai District. 3.The Tahsildar, Peraiyur Taluk Office, Peraiyur, Madurai District. 4.The Inspector of Police, Ezhumalai Police Station, Ezhumalai, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and provide necessary police protection to conduct the Arulmigu Santhana 1/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1866 of 2026 Mariamman Temple, Panguni Pongal Festival with Karakattam, Valli Thirumanam drama, spiritual dance festivals with lights and loud speakers scheduled to be held from 06.04.2026 to 09.04.2026 in connection with Arulmigu Santhanamariamman Temple situated at E-Perumal Patti Village, Ezhumalai Post, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District and pass orders on the basis of petitioner representation dated 25.03.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Neelamegam For R1 & R4 : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar Government Advocate(Criminal) For R2 & R3 : Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate(Civil) ORDER This petition has been filed seeking direction to the respondents to grant permission and provide necessary police protection to conduct the Arulmigu Santhana Mariamman Temple, Panguni Pongal Festival with Karakattam, Valli Thirumanam drama, spiritual dance festivals with lights and loud speakers scheduled to be helf from 06.04.2026 to 09.04.2026 in connection with Arulmigu Santhanamariamman Temple situated at E-Perumal Patti Village, Ezhumalai Post, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District and pass orders on the basis of petitioner representation dated 25.03.2026. 2/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1866 of 2026 2. It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu issued two circulars bearing Rc.No.159539/Crime. 4(3)/2018, signed on 31.10.2018 and Rc.007301/GenlI(1)/2019, dated 09.04.2019, wherein instructions have been given to the Inspectors of Police throughout Tamil Nadu for consideration of applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programme. 3. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:- (a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Karakattam, Valli Thirumanam drama, spiritual dance festivals on 06.04.2026 to 09.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Arulmigu Santhanamariamman Temple situated at E-Perumal Patti Village, Ezhumalai Post, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District. (b) The organisers, who shall be the responsible members of the festival committee, shall ensure that only cultural programs having some relevance to the temple or the festival in question would be conducted and there shall not be any obscene display/dance being conducted; (c) The program shall not extend beyond 10 p.m.; (d) No women participating in the cultural program would be depicted or portrayed in an obscene or undignified manner either in the form of clothing or 3/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1866 of 2026 otherwise; (e) The music that shall be used shall be in sync with the precincts of the temple and double meaning songs should not be played; (f) There shall be no supply of alcohol or any intoxicating material in and around the area where cultural program is scheduled to be held; (g) None of the songs or dances performed in the said programme shall exhibit any political tone, tenor, or colour, nor shall they relate to or promote any religion, community, or caste. (h) Organizers shall not erect any digital banners/placards on either side of the arterial roads, platforms, walkways/major roads and any other roads; (i) the function should not affect caste, religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination; (j) The attire of the dancers performing in the said programme should be modest and does not involve exposure of the midriff, thighs, legs or chest. Any violation of this condition shall result in legal action, including the arrest of the organisers and all members of the temple committee. (k) the Police is empowered to stop the programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time; (l) if any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same; 4/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1866 of 2026 (m) the organizers shall have to obtain all other required permission from the authorities concerned; (n) Any other conditions as the authority concerned consider to impose according to the ground reality. In case of violation of any conditions, it is open to the authorities to initiate such action as is required under law and the persons who are the organisers/committee members shall be held responsible. No costs. 02.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 06.04.2026. TO:- 1.The Superintendent of Police, O/o The Superintendent of Police, Surveyor Colony, K. Puthur, Madurai District. 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o. the Revenue Commissioner, Usilampatti, Madurai District. 5/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1866 of 2026 3.The Tahsildar, Peraiyur Taluk Office, Peraiyur, Madurai District. 4.The Inspector of Police, Ezhumalai Police Station, Ezhumalai, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai 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.1866 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1866 of 2026 Dated 02.04.2026 7/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis