W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2534 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2534 of 2026 Senthil Manikandan ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Assistant Returning Officer / District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer, 193-Madurai Central Assembly Constituency, Madruai Collector Office, Near Anna Bus Stand, Madurai – 625 020. 2.The Inspector of Police, Thideer Nagar Police Station, 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 accord permission to conduct Adal Padal program on 24.05.2026 and 25.05.2026 the Musical Orchestra Program in the festival of Arulmigu Sri Keeraikara Mariyamman Temple, Nanmai Tharuvar Kovil Street, Nehaji Road, Madurai and to provide police protection based on the petitioner's representation, dated 25.04.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.N.Jeyaram Sidharth For Respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh (R1) Government Advocate (Civil) 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2534 of 2026 Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (R2) Government Advocate (Crl.) ORDER This petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to accord permission to conduct Adal Padal program on 24.05.2026 and 25.05.2026 the Musical Orchestra Program in the festival of Arulmigu Sri Keeraikara Mariyamman Temple, Nanmai Tharuvar Kovil Street, Nehaji Road, Madurai and to provide police protection based on the petitioner's representation, dated 25.04.2026. 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 Adal Padal program on 24.05.2026 and Musical Orchestra program on 25.05.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2534 of 2026 10.00 p.m., in Arulmigu Sri Keeraikara Mariyamman Temple, Nanmai Tharuvar Kovil Street, Nehaji Road, Madurai . (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 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 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2534 of 2026 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 organisers/committee members shall be held responsible. No costs. 29.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 04.05.2026. 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2534 of 2026 TO:- 1.The Assistant Returning Officer / District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer, 193-Madurai Central Assembly Constituency, Madruai Collector Office, Near Anna Bus Stand, Madurai – 625 020. 2.The Inspector of Police, Thideer Nagar Police Station, Madurai District. 3.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.2534 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2534 of 2026 Dated 29.04.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis