W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2363 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2363 of 2026 and W.P.M.P.Crl.(MD)N.580 of 2026 Senthil ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District. 3.The Inspector of Police, Salaigramam Police Station, Sivagangai District. 4.Rajkumar ... 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 15.04.2026 passed by the 3rd respondent in his proceedings in respect of the refusal to grant permission to conduct evening cultural festivities in connection to the Sri Maha Sathayya temple festival on 09.05.2026 and consequently direct the respondents herein to grant permission for conducting evening cultural festivities in connection to the Sri Maha Sathayya temple festival on 09.05.2026 from 06.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m on the basis of the application dated 15.04.2026. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2363 of 2026 For Petitioner : Mr.J.Leo Daniel Kavin For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (R1 - R3) Government Advocate (Crl.) Mr.T.Veerakumar (R4) ORDER This petition has been filed challenging the rejection order passed by the 3rd respondent, dated 15.04.2026 with a consequential direction to the the respondents herein to grant permission for conducting evening cultural festivities in connection to the Sri Maha Sathayya temple festival on 09.05.2026 from 06.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m on the basis of the application dated 15.04.2026. 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.2363 of 2026 3. In view of the above, the impugned order dated 15.04.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:- (a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Adal Padal program on 09.05.2026 from 08.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Sri Maha Sathayya temple festival, Sathanoor Village, Ilayangudi Taluk, Sivagangai 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.2363 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 organisers/committee members shall be held responsible. This order should be 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2363 of 2026 followed in letter and spirit. If the same is violated, the respondent police can take strict action. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 27.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 30.04.2026. TO:- 1.The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District. 3.The Inspector of Police, Salaigramam Police Station, Sivagangai 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.2363 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2363 of 2026 Dated 27.04.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis