W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4269 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4269 of 2026 M.Saalvaadeeswaran ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Superintendent of Police, Armed Reserve Lane, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District. 2. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Nanguneri Division, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli District. 3. The Inspector of Police, Kalakad Police Station, Tirunelveli District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records related to impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent in Na.Ka.No. 03/Che.Mu.Aa/Kaa.Aa/Kalkad/2026, dated 23.07.2026 and quash the same as illegal, arbitrary and in violation of principles of natural justice and consequently direct the respondents to give permission and adequate polcie protection to conduct Karakaatam on 03.08.2026 and light music on 05.08.2026 at Arulmigu Vaanuvaa Naataal Amman Thirukovil, Padmaneri, Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli District. 1/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4269 of 2026 For Petitioner : Mr.M.Ananthkumar For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy Government Advocate (Crl.side) ORDER This petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the 3rd respondent in Na.Ka.No.03/Che.Mu.Aa/Kaa.Aa/Kalkad/2026, dated 23.07.2026 and consequently to direct the respondents to give permission and adequate police protection to conduct Karakaatam on 03.08.2026 and light music on 05.08.2026 at Arulmigu Vaanuvaa Naataal Amman Thirukovil, Padmaneri, Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli 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. 3. In view of the above, the impugned order dated 23.07.2026 is hereby quashed. Consequently, the petitioner is permitted to conduct Bhajanai alone, 2/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4269 of 2026 without conducting any light music programme. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:- (a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Karakaatam on 03.08.2026 and Bhajanai on 05.08.2026 at Arulmigu Vaanuvaa Naataal Amman Thirukovil, Padmaneri, Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli District; (b) The organisers, who shall be the responsible members of the festival committee, shall ensure that only 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 program would be depicted or portrayed in an obscene or undignified manner either in the form of clothing or otherwise; (e) There should not be any kind of obscene dance or vulgar dialogues during the performance, by anyone of the participants; (f) The music that shall be used shall be in sync with the precincts of the temple and double meaning songs should not be played so as to spoil the minds of students and youths; (g) There shall be no supply of alcohol or any intoxicating material by participants or audience in and around the area where cultural program is 3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4269 of 2026 scheduled to be held; (h) No donations or prizes in the name of political parties; (i) 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. (j) No slogans or speeches supporting or opposing any political party or party leader, any caste, community or creed; (k) No political symbols or banners supporting political parties or communal leaders; (l) Songs praising communal leader or having communal overtones should not be played; (m) Organizers shall not erect any digital banners/placards on either side of the arterial roads, platforms, walkways/major roads and any other roads; (n) No flex boards in support of any political party or communal leader, shall be erected at the premises of the programme; (o) The function should not affect caste, religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination; (p) The attire of the programmers performing in the said programme should be modest and should not involve exposure of the midriff, thighs, legs or chest. Any violation of this condition shall result in legal action, including 4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4269 of 2026 the arrest of the organisers and all members of the temple committee. (q) It is made clear that the actors / actresses of the program should wear proper Dress as follows: Dress code: For men : Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth; For women : Sarees or half saree, chudithars with upper cloth For children : Any fully covered dress; (r) The entire programme shall be videographed by the programme organizers and the same shall be furnished to the respondent police. If any deviation is noticed, the respondent police is directed to register a case as against the programme organizers and the artists of the programme. (s) The Police is empowered to stop the programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time; (t) The organizers shall ensure that no untoward incidents is caused disturbing the public peace and tranquility. (u) If any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same; (v) The organizers shall have to obtain all other required permission from the authorities concerned; (w) The police bundobust charges shall be paid by the organizers 5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4269 of 2026 committee; (x) If there is violation of any one of the conditions imposed, the concerned police officer is at liberty to take necessary action, as per law and stop such performance forthwith and bring the same to the notice of this Court. (y) Any other conditions as the authority concerned considers necessary 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. 29.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Sm Note : Issue order copy on 30.07.2026. 6/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4269 of 2026 TO:- 1.The Superintendent of Police, Armed Reserve Lane, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District. 2. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Nanguneri Division, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli District. 3. The Inspector of Police, Kalakad Police Station, Tirunelveli District. 4.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.4269 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4269 of 2026 Dated 29.07.2026 8/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis