W.P.Crl(MD)No.1365 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Writ Petition Crl.(MD)No.1365 of 2026 and W.M.P.Crl.(MD).No.333 of 2026 1.K.Nalliappan 2.N.Kamatchi ..Petitioners Vs 1.The District Collector, Madurai District. 2.The Superintendent of Police, Madurai District. 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Vadipatti, Madurai District. 4.The Tahsildar, Vadipatti, Madurai District. 5.The Inspector of Police, Palamedu Police Station, Madurai District. 6.K.Andiyappan 7.Kamatchi S/o.Nalliappan 8.Andiappan 9.Asaiponnu 10.Aravan 11.Deivam 12.Parthiban 13.Madalaiappan 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl(MD)No.1365 of 2026 14.Madalaiappan 15.Kamatchi S/o.Kanniappan 16.Kamatchi S/o.Kamatchi 17.Kannusamy 18.Prabhu ..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the second and fifth respondents to provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct of the temple festival of Arulmighu Sri Kaamatchiyamman Kovil at Mudivarpatti Village, Madurai District, scheduled from 06.03.2026 to 26.03.2026 ensuring participation of devotees without interference. For Petitioners : Mr.S.Srikanth For R1, R3 and R4 : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam Government Advocate (Civil side) For R2 & R5 : Mr.M.Sskthikumar Government Advocate (Crl.side) ORDER W.M.P.Crl.(MD)No.333 of 2026 filed seeking to file a single Writ Petition is ordered. Seeking to direct the second and fifth respondents to provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct of the 'temple festival' of “Arulmighu Sri Kaamatchiyamman Kovil” situated at Mudivarpatti Village, Madurai District, scheduled from 06.03.2026 to 26.03.2026, this Writ Petition is filed. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl(MD)No.1365 of 2026 2.Since no adverse order is likely to be passed against the private respondents, notice to them is dispensed with. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the private respondents 6 to 18 are hindering the peaceful conduct of the aforesaid temple festival for the year 2026. The said temple festival is scheduled to be conducted from 06.03.2026 to 26.03.2026 as per customary practice, which includes flag hoisting (nfhb Vw;wk;), Ganapathi Homam, Special Abishegams, Alankarams, Deeparathanai, Village customary rituals, temple processions, special Ceremonial worship and final maha Pooja on the concluding day. Claiming first honour and also claiming the right to carry the deity in private bullock cart, the private respondents have entered into verbal altercation with the temple Administrative authority. Hence, this petition. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the State, on instructions, submitted that both the rival parties were required by the fifth respondent police for a peace talk, where an amicable settlement has been arrived at, where the villagers, more particularly, the private respondents 6 to 18 and the petitioners have agreed to conduct the aforesaid temple festival 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl(MD)No.1365 of 2026 without any indifference and have also agreed that none of them will claim the first honour and the temple procession will also be conducted in the customary manner. 5.Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record. 6.Considering the submissions made, making it clear that neither of the parties would claim any first honour and that all the rituals should be conducted in terms of the existing customary practice, this Writ Petition is disposed of. The fifth respondent police is directed to afford necessary police protection on payment of necessary charges in terms of G.O.(Ma).No.139, Home (Pol-VIII) Department, dated 04.03.2019, by the petitioners. No costs. 06.03.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes Rmk NOTE : Issue order copy on 24.03.2026 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl(MD)No.1365 of 2026 To 1.The District Collector, Madurai District. 2.The Superintendent of Police, Madurai District. 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Vadipatti, Madurai District. 4.The Tahsildar, Vadipatti, Madurai District. 5.The Inspector of Police, Palamedu Police Station, Madurai District. 6.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.1365 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Rmk Writ Petition Crl.(MD)No.1365 of 2026 06.03.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis