WP CRL.(MD). No.1762 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 01/04/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI WP CRL.(MD). No.1762 of 2026 and WMP CRL.(MD). No.426 of 2026 Murugan ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Office of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sankarankovil Sub Division, Tenkasi District. 2. The Inspector of Police, Ayyapuram Police Station, Ayyapuram, Thiruvenkadam Taluk, Tenkasi District.. 3. The Returning Officer/Revenue Division Officer, No. 219 Sankarankovil Assembly Constituency, Revenue Divisional Officer, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- To issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the second Respondent in his proceedings, Na.Ka.No.02/FORECAST/S8PS/2026, dated 24.03.2026 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.1762 of 2026 and quash the same as illegal, consequently directing the respondents to grant permission and necessary protection to conduct the " Adal Padal" Programme on 02.04.2026 at 06.00 p.m., to 11.00 p.m., and customary temple festival function from 02.04.2026 to 04.04.2026 in connection with K.Karisalkulam Village, Arulmigu Sri Karuppasamy Temple at Tenkasi District. For Petitioner : Mr. M.Balakrishnan, Advocate. For Respondent : Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar for R1 and R2 Additional Public Prosecutor Mr.M.Muthumanikkam, for R3 Government Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the rejection order passed by the second Respondent in his proceedings, Na.Ka.No. 02/FORECAST/S8PS/2026, dated 24.03.2026 and quash the same as illegal, consequently directing the respondents to grant permission and necessary protection to conduct the "Adal Padal" Programme on 02.04.2026 at 06.00 p.m., to 11.00 p.m., and customary temple festival function from 02.04.2026 to 04.04.2026 in connection with K.Karisalkulam Village, Arulmigu Sri Karuppasamy Temple at Tenkasi District. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.1762 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, the impugned order dated 24.03.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:- (a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Adal Padal program on 02.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Arulmigu Sri Karuppasamy Temple, K.Karisalkulam Village,Tenkasi 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.; 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.1762 of 2026 (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 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 Police is empowered to stop the programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time; 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.1762 of 2026 (k) if any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same; (l) the organizers shall have to obtain all other required permission from the authorities concerned; (m) 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. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 01.04.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no Note : Issue order copy on 01.04.2026 pnn 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.1762 of 2026 L. VICTORIA GOWRI,J pnn To 1. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Office of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sankarankovil Sub Division, Tenkasi District. 2. The Inspector of Police, Ayyapuram Police Station, Ayyapuram, Thiruvenkadam Taluk, Tenkasi District.. 3. The Returning Officer/Revenue Division Officer, No. 219 Sankarankovil Assembly Constituency, Revenue Divisional Officer, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District. ORDER IN WP CRL.(MD) No.1762 of 2026 Date : 01/04/2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis