WP CRL.(MD). No.2426 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 02/07/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI WP CRL.(MD). No.2426 of 2026 1. N.C.Jeyaraman, 2. M.Kamatchi ... Petitioners Vs 1. The Superintendent of Police, Madurai, Madurai District. 2. State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Elumalai Police Station, Madurai District. 3. Chellandi 4. Sadaiyandi Veerapa Devar 5. Mariyappan (R3 to R5 are impleaded as per order of this Court dated 09.06.2026) 6. The Masanam, Village head of Perumalpatti Village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District. (R6 is suo motu impleaded vide Court order dated 02.07.2026) ... Respondents 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.2426 of 2026 PRAYER :- To issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to grant permission and protection for installation of the Idol of Mariyamman in Sri Arulmigu Santhana Mariamman Temple situated at Perumalpati Village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District on the basis of the order passed in WP(MD)No.3627 /2025 dated 16.07.2025, by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 22.04.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Karthikeya Venkitachalapathy, Advocate. For Respondent : Mr.C.Susikumar for R1 and R2 Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.Vijayaraja for R3 Mr.M.Suresh for R4 and R5 Mrs.M.R.Priyanka Jothi - for R6 Government Advocate (Civil side) ORDER This Writ Petition is filed seeking to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to grant permission and protection for installation of the Idol of Mariyamman in Sri Arulmigu Santhana Mariamman Temple situated at Perumalpati Village, Peraiyur Taluk, 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.2426 of 2026 Madurai District on the basis of the order passed in WP(MD)No. 3627 /2025 dated 16.07.2025, by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 22.04.2026. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that several writ petitions were filed earlier and the amongst which the last writ petition in WP(MD)No.17811 of 2025 dated 16.07.2025, this Court passed an order , directing the revenue authorities to hand over the idol of Sandhana Mariamman to the temple committee for facilitating them to install the idol of Mariamman in Sri Arulmigu Sandhana Mariamman temple, pursuant to which the said idol was handed over to the present village committee by the revenue authorities. However, unfortunately one Masanam, who is the village head is preventing the petitioner and the villagers from installing the idol in the said temple and sought the indulgence of this Court. 3. The Masanam, Village head of Perumalpatti Village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District, is suo motu impleaded as the sixth respondent. Registry is directed to carry out necessary amendment in the cause title. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.2426 of 2026 4. The learned counsel appearing for the 5th respondent, submitted that the 5th respondent is the village head of the said temple. The temple is 400 years old temple, where the principal deity was worshipped in a formless manner. However, now breaking all the customary practice, a section of villagers are trying to install the idol of Mariamman by giving form, contrary to the prevalent practise and expressed serious objection to install the principal deity in the temple. 5. However, the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the 4th and 5th respondent submitted that even it is only the 5th respondent who is disagreeing to install the idol. Already the idol has been handed over by the revenue authorities and for the past several months, connected rituals are ongoing, preparing to install the same in that temple. In view of the same, seeking a directiong to the revenue authorities to conduct a peace committee meeting by putting all the rival parties on notice and facilitate the installation of Mariamman in said temple. 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.2426 of 2026 6. Heard either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record. 7. In view of the above submission made by the learned counsel on either sides, the 6th respondent is the directed to convene a peace committee meeting on 22-7-2026, by putting all the rival parties herein on notice and conclude the same. It is made clear that the decision taken by the 6th respondent on the said peace committee meeting would be final. No further writ petition should be filed by any of the parties before this Court. Thereafter, with respect to the installation of Mariamman idol in the said temple, if at all consensus is not arrived in the peace committee meeting, the respective parties should be directed to approach the appropriate civil court for resolving the issue. 8. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. 02.07.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no pnn 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.2426 of 2026 L. VICTORIA GOWRI,J pnn To 1. The Superintendent of Police, Madurai, Madurai District. 2. The Inspector of Police, Elumalai Police Station, Madurai District. 3. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. ORDER IN WP CRL.(MD) No.2426 of 2026 Date : 02/07/2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis