W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 Rajavenkateswaran ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul. 2. The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul. 3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Dindigul, Dindigul District. 4. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Athoor, Dindigul District. 5. The Inspector of Police, Chinnalapatti Police Station, Dindigul District. 6. Palraj 7. Pommurajan 8. Selvakumar ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents 1 to 4 to conduct temple festival in Arulmighu Shree Sri Kaliamman, Shree Bahavathiamman and 1/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 Other Sub Deities Shree Muthalamman and Shree Muniyappan Temple situated Ariyanallur Village, Athoor Taluk, Dindigul District scheduled to be held on 14.07.2026 to 16.07.2026 on the basis of the peace committee meeting resolution passed by the 4th respondent in Na.Ka.No.2302/2026/Aa3 dated 27.06.2026 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 30.06.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Muniyandi For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy (R2 & R5) Government Advocate (Crl.) Ms.M.R.Priyanka Jothi (R1, R3 & R4) Government Advocate (Civil) Mr.Arul Zenifer (R6) Mr.Perumal (R7) ORDER This petition has been filed to forbear the respondents 1 to 4 to conduct temple festival in Arulmighu Shree Sri Kaliamman, Shree Bahavathiamman and Other Sub Deities Shree Muthalamman and Shree Muniyappan Temple situated Ariyanallur Village, Athoor Taluk, Dindigul District, scheduled to be held on 14.07.2026 to 16.07.2026 on the basis of the peace committee meeting resolution passed by the 4th respondent in Na.Ka.No.2302/2026/Aa3 dated 27.06.2026 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 30.06.2026. 2/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 2. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate drew the attention of this Court to an earlier writ petition filed by the sixth respondent in W.P.(MD) No.3290 of 2026, wherein this Court had directed the revenue authorities to convene a peace committee meeting by issuing notice to all the parties representing the respective communities and thereafter facilitate the smooth and peaceful conduct of the temple festival. Pursuant to the said direction, a peace committee meeting was convened on 27.06.2026 between the A Party, representing the Hindu Vanniyar community, and the B Party, representing the Hindu Gounder community, wherein an amicable resolution was arrived at. 3. The learned Government Advocate further pointed out that the present petitioner belonged to B party community. In the said resolution, it has been resolved that A party community and B party community should conduct the temple festivals on the alternate years, facilitating participation of all the community people and offering worship and observing other formalities pertaining to the temple festival together. In view of the said consensus and the fact that the relief sought in the present writ petition substantially overlaps with the relief sought in the earlier writ petition, the learned Government Advocate contended that the present writ petition is liable to be dismissed. 3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the temple belongs to two communities, namely, the Hindu Vanniyar community and the Hindu Gounder community. He further submitted that an agreement had earlier been arrived at between the members of both communities on 25.01.2023, wherein it was mutually agreed that the temple festival would be organised jointly by both communities with the participation of all devotees. 5. According to the learned counsel, the resolution passed in the peace committee meeting held on 27.06.2026 is contrary to the terms of the earlier agreement dated 25.01.2023, which had been consistently acted upon and followed by the members of both communities. He therefore contended that the subsequent resolution cannot override the earlier consensus and is liable to be disregarded. 6. In reply, the learned counsel appearing for the sixth and seventh respondents submitted that, pursuant to the agreement dated 25.01.2023, administrators from both the communities were appointed and the temple festival was organised jointly. However, instead of bringing about harmony, the arrangement gave rise to several disputes between the communities, resulting in the institution of multiple civil suits. Since no amicable resolution could be 4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 reached despite the earlier arrangement, the sixth respondent was constrained to file W.P.(MD) No.3290 of 2026, pursuant to which this Court directed the convening of a peace committee meeting. 7. The learned counsel further submitted that, in compliance with the said direction, a peace committee meeting was held, wherein the disputes between the two communities were amicably resolved. It was mutually agreed that the temple festival shall be conducted by the Hindu Vanniyar community and the Hindu Gounder community in alternate years, while ensuring the participation of members of all communities in the festival, including the performance of worship and other customary religious observances. Since the issue now stands amicably resolved by the consensus of both communities, the learned counsel contended that there survives no cause for interference by this Court and, therefore, the present writ petition is liable to be dismissed. 8. Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials placed before this Court. Considering the nature of the order proposed to be passed against the 8th respondent, notice to him is dispensed with. 5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 9. Since this is the second round of litigation concerning the very same issue, this Court is not inclined to grant the relief sought for in the present writ petition. The parties concerned, particularly the petitioner and the private respondents, are directed to strictly adhere to and abide by the resolution arrived at in the peace committee meeting convened by the Revenue Authorities on 27.06.2026. The parties shall ensure scrupulous compliance with the terms of the said resolution so as to maintain communal harmony and facilitate the peaceful conduct of the temple festival. 10. It is made clear that no further writ petitions seeking substantially the same relief in respect of the administration or conduct of the temple festival shall be entertained, unless there is a subsequent cause of action. Insofar as Condition No.11 of the peace committee resolution dated 27.06.2026, which provides for according first honours to the community leaders organising the temple festival, is concerned, this Court is of the considered view that such a stipulation is unconstitutional, being contrary to the principles of equality enshrined in the Constitution. Accordingly, Condition No.11 of the peace committee resolution dated 27.06.2026 is hereby struck down. 6/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 11. With the above observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. 03.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 06.07.2026. TO:- 1. The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul. 2. The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul. 3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Dindigul, Dindigul District. 4. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Athoor, Dindigul District. 5. The Inspector of Police, Chinnalapatti Police Station, Dindigul District. 6. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 7/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3672 of 2026 Dated 03.07.2026 8/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis