WP No. 17173 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 8 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 29-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP No. 17173 of 2026 A.Radhakrishnan S/o. T.Arumuga Gounder, 38, Mettu Agraharam, Salem636001. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary to Government, Public Department, Secretariat, Chennai600009. 2. The Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai600009. 3. The Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepaukkam, Chennai 600 005. 4. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai600034. 5. The District Executive Magistrate/Collector, Salem Town 636 001. 6. The Commissioner of Police, Linemedu, Salem 636006. 7. The Commissioner, Salem City Municipal Corporation, Fort, SalemTown636001. 8. The Deputy Director, Fire and Rescues Department, Salem 636 007. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 17173 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 8 9. The Superintending Engineer (Buildings), Public Works Department, Kumarasamypatty, Salem 636007. 10.The Superintending Engineer, Constructions and Maintenances Wing, Jahirammapalayam, Salem 636302. 11.The Chief Engineer, TamilNadu Generation andDistributionCorporation, 948, E.V.N.Road, Erode 638009. 12.The Tahsildar, Arasu Cable TV Corporation, Collectorate, SalemTown 636001. 13.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nethimedu, Salem 636002. 14.The Executive Engineer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nethimedu, Salem 636002. 15.The Fit person/Trustees, Arulmigu Sugawaneshwarar Swamy Temple, Salem Town 636 001 16.The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sugawaneshwarar Swamy Temple, Salem Town 636 001. 17.The Fit Person/Trustees Arulmigu Azhagirinadhar Swamy Temple, Fort, SalemTown 636001. 18.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Azhagirinadhar Swamy Temple, Fort, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 17173 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 8 SalemTown 636001. 19.The Fit Person/Trustees, Arulmigu Kottai Periya MariammanTemple, Salem Town 636 001 20.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu KottaiPeriyaMariammanTemple, SalemTown636001 ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, seeking to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the upcoming Car Festivals at 15th, 17thand 19th respondent temples by strictly adhering to the guidelines stipulated in G.O.Ms.No.413,dated 06.12.2012,and by considering the Petitioners representationsdated16.02.2026 and 24.04.2026. For Petitioner(s): Mr.A.Radhakrishnan (Party – in - Person) For Respondent(s): Mr.K.Karthikeyan, GA (HR & CE) Mr.V.Meghanathan, GA (Crl. Side) R6 Mr.M.Rajendiran, AGP RR1,3,5,8,9 & 10 ORDER The writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the upcoming Car Festivals at 15th, 17thand 19th respondent temples by strictly adhering to the guidelines stipulated in G.O.Ms.No.413, dated 06.12.2012, and by considering the Petitioners representations dated16.02.2026 and 24.04.2026. 2. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 17173 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 8 Advocate appearing for the HR and CE Department, on instructions, submitted that the car festival will be conducted as per G.O.Ms.No.13 dated 06.12.2012 issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department. 3. Recording the submission made by the learned Government Advocate that the car festival is conducted strictly in accordance with the said Government Order and the established custom and usage of the temple, without any deviation. 4. It is made clear that if there is any violation as per the above said G.O., the petitioner is at liberty to approach this Court for appropriate remedy. No costs. 29-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No rli To 1. The Secretary to Government, Public Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600009. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 17173 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 8 2. The Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai600009. 3. The Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Ezhilagam, Chepaukkam, Chennai 600 005. 4. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai600034. 5. The District Executive Magistrate/Collector, Salem Town 636 001. 6. The Commissioner of Police, Linemedu, Salem 636006. 7. The Commissioner, Salem City Municipal Corporation, Fort, SalemTown636001. 8. The Deputy Director, Fire and Rescues Department, Salem 636 007. 9. The Superintending Engineer (Buildings), Public Works Department, Kumarasamypatty, Salem 636007. 10. The Superintending Engineer, Constructions and Maintenances Wing, Jahirammapalayam, Salem 636302. 11. The Chief Engineer, TamilNadu Generation andDistributionCorporation, 948, E.V.N.Road, Erode 638009. 12. The Tahsildar, Arasu Cable TV Corporation, Collectorate, SalemTown 636001. 13. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nethimedu, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 17173 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 8 Salem 636002. 14. The Executive Engineer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nethimedu, Salem 636002. 15. The Fit person/Trustees, Arulmigu Sugawaneshwarar Swamy Temple, Salem Town 636 001 16. The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sugawaneshwarar Swamy Temple, Salem Town 636 001. 17. The Fit Person/Trustees Arulmigu Azhagirinadhar Swamy Temple, Fort, SalemTown 636001. 18. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Azhagirinadhar Swamy Temple, Fort, SalemTown 636001. 19. The Fit Person/Trustees, Arulmigu Kottai Periya MariammanTemple, Salem Town 636 001 20. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu KottaiPeriyaMariammanTemple, SalemTown636001 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 17173 of 2026 __________ Page7 of 8 M.DHANDAPANI, J. rli WP No. 17173 of 2026 29-04-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 17173 of 2026 __________ Page8 of 8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis