W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2523 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.2523 of 2026 Raja Pandi ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Superintendent of Police, Theni District, Theni. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Periyakulam Sub Division, Periyakulam, Theni District. 3.The Inspector of Police, Devathanapatty Police Station, Theni District. 4.The Election Commission of India, Rep.by The District Election Officer/District Collector, Theni 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 order dated 24.04.2026 made in Na.Ka.No. 18/Pothu/The.Ka.Nee./2026 passed by the 3rd respondent and quash the same, and direct the respondents to give permission to the petitioner to conduct Adal Padal Programme on 30.04.2026 and 01.05.2026 at 07.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m at Shri Muthalamman 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2523 of 2026 Temple, Nagampatti Village, Silvarpatty Post, Periyakulam Taluk, Theni District. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Venkatachalam For Respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh (R4) Government Advocate (Civil) Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (R1-R3) Government Advocate (Crl.) ORDER This petition has been filed to call for the records pertaining to the order dated 24.04.2026 made in Na.Ka.No. 18/Pothu/The.Ka.Nee./2026 passed by the 3rd respondent and quash the same, and direct the respondents to give permission to the petitioner to conduct Adal Padal Programme on 30.04.2026 and 01.05.2026 at 07.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m at Shri Muthalamman Temple, Nagampatti Village, Silvarpatty Post, Periyakulam Taluk, Theni 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.2523 of 2026 3. In view of the above, the impugned order dated 24.04.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:- (a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Adal Padal program on 30.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Shri Muthalamman Temple, Nagampatti Village, Silvarpatty Post, Periyakulam Taluk, Theni 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 any religion, community, or caste. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2523 of 2026 (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.2523 of 2026 organisers/committee members shall be held responsible. No costs. 29.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 29.04.2026. TO:- 1.The Superintendent of Police, Theni District, Theni. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Periyakulam Sub Division, Periyakulam, Theni District. 3.The Inspector of Police, Devathanapatty Police Station, Theni District. 4.The District Election Officer/District Collector, Theni District. 5.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.2523 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2523 of 2026 Dated 29.04.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis