W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1864 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.1864 of 2026 and W.M.P.Crl.(MD)No.459 of 2026 M.Senthil ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Revenue Divisional Officer/ The Election Officer, 197-Usilampatti Assembly Constituency, Usilampatti, Madurai District. 2. The Assistant Superintendent of Police, Thirumangalam Sub-Division, Madurai District. 3.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by The Inspector of Police, E-4, Sindhupatti Police Station, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the 2nd Respondent in Na.Ka.No. 96/U.KA.K.Thee/Thea2026 dated 27.03.2026 and quash the same and direct the 2nd respondent to grant permission and necessary protection to perform the cultural program (ie) Adal Padal on 08.04.2026 in the evening of Sri Sivagamai Amman, Sri Mandaiamman Kovil Thiruvizha Valangakulam Village, Usilamoatti Taluk, Madurai District. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1864 of 2026 For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sumesh For Respondents : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam (R1) Government Advocate (Civil) Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (R2 & R3) Government Advocate (Crl.) ORDER This petition has been filed challenging the rejection order passed by the 2nd respondent, dated 27.03.2026 with a consequential direction to the 2nd respondent to grant permission and necessary protection to perform the cultural program (ie) Adal Padal on 08.04.2026 in the evening of Sri Sivagamai Amman, Sri Mandaiamman Kovil Thiruvizha Valangakulam Village, Usilamoatti Taluk, Madurai District. 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. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1864 of 2026 3. In view of the above, the impugned order dated 27.03.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:- (a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Adal Padal program on 08.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Sri Sivagamai Amman, Sri Mandaiamman Kovil Thiruvizha Valangakulam Village, Usilamoatti 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 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 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1864 of 2026 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; (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 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1864 of 2026 organisers/committee members shall be held responsible. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 02.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 06.04.2026. TO:- 1.The Revenue Divisional Officer/ The Election Officer, 197-Usilampatti Assembly Constituency, Usilampatti, Madurai District. 2. The Assistant Superintendent of Police, Thirumangalam Sub-Division, Madurai District. 3.The Inspector of Police, E-4, Sindhupatti Police Station, Madurai District. 4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1864 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1864 of 2026 Dated 02.04.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis