W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2334 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2334 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)No.566 of 2026 Arumugam ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Election Officer, The Tahsildar Office, Rajapalayam. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District. 3.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by The Inspector of Police, South Police Station, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent in his proceedings in 159/R1PS/RJPM/2026 dated 20.04.2026 and quash the same as illegal consequently, directing the respondents to grant permission and necessary protection to conduct the Adal Padal Programme on 24.04.2026 at 06.00 p.m to 11.00 p.m and customary temple festival function on 24.04.2024 in connection with Pudhupalayam, Arulmigu Sri Mariyamman Temple at Rajapalayam, 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2334 of 2026 Virudhunagar District. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Bharathi For Respondents : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam (R1) Government Advocate (Civil) Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (R2 & R3) Additional Public Prosecutor ORDER This petition has been filed challenging the rejection order passed by the 3rd respondent, dated 20.04.2026 with a consequential direction to the respondents to grant permission and necessary protection to conduct the Adal Padal Programme on 24.04.2026 at 06.00 p.m to 11.00 p.m and customary temple festival function on 24.04.2024 in connection with Pudhupalayam, Arulmigu Sri Mariyamman Temple at Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar 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.2334 of 2026 3. In view of the above, the impugned order dated 20.04.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:- (a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Adal Padal program and customary temple festival function on 24.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Pudhupalayam, Arulmigu Sri Mariyamman Temple at Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar 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 exhibit any political tone, tenor, or colour, nor shall they relate to or promote 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2334 of 2026 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.2334 of 2026 organisers/committee members shall be held responsible. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 22.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 22.04.2026. TO:- 1.The Election Officer, The Tahsildar Office, Rajapalayam. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District. 3.The Inspector of Police, South Police Station, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar 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.2334 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2334 of 2026 Dated 22.04.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis