WP Crl. No. 1820 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 28-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN WP Crl. No. 1820 of 2026 C.Sembaiyan S/o. chinnathambi Asthinapuram Village, Ariyalur Taluk and District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Deputy Superintendent of Police Ariyalur District. Ariyalur. 2. The Inspector of Police Kayaralabath Police Station, Ariyalur District. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to consider the petitioners representation dated 15.07.2026 and grant permission to conduct the traditional karagattam cultural programme on 13.08.2026 in connection with the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple car Festival held at Asthinapuram Village, Ariyalur Taluk and District, within a time frame to be fixed by this Honble Court, and thus render Justice. For Petitioner(s): A.V.Raja A.Abiramvalli For Respondent(s): Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar Counsel for Government https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1820 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 6 ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed seeking direction to the second respondent to consider the petitioners representation dated 15.07.2026 and grant permission to conduct the traditional karagattam cultural programme on 13.08.2026 in connection with the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple car Festival held at Asthinapuram Village, Ariyalur Taluk and District 2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents. 3. The learned Counsel for Government, on instructions, would submit that there is likelihood of arising law and order problem. 4. A mere apprehension cannot be a ground to reject the representation. There is absolutely no material before this Court to hold that there will be a law and order problem in the event of permission being granted. In such view of the matter, this petition is allowed and the petitioner is permitted to conduct cultural programme in the event of traditional karagattam cultural programme on 13.08.2026 in connection with the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple car Festival held at Asthinapuram Village, Ariyalur Taluk and District however with the following conditions:- https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1820 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 6 (a) The cultural programme in connection with the event of traditional karagattam cultural programme on 13.08.2026 in connection with the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple car Festival held at Asthinapuram Village, Ariyalur Taluk and District (b)The petitioner shall pay a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) as charges, to the respondent Police and on receipt of the same, the respondent Police is directed to issue receipt and proceed further. (c)There should not be any kind of obscene dance or vulgar dialogues during the performance, by anyone of the participants. (d) Double meaning songs should not be played so as to spoil the minds of students and youths. (e) No dance or songs, touching upon any political party or religion or community or caste shall be played. (f) No flex boards in support of any political party or communal leader, shall be erected at the premises of the programme. (g) The function shall not affect either religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination based on caste. (h) 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 (i) Similarly, the police is directed to stop the dance programme, if it is played beyond the permitted time limit. (j) The respondent is directed to issue necessary permission, incorporating the above conditions. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1820 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 6 5. With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition stands allowed. The uploaded copy can be utilised for the purpose of execution of the Order. 28-07-2026 SMA https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1820 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 6 G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J. SMA WP Crl. No. 1820 of 2026 28-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1820 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 6 To 1. The Deputy Superintendent of Police Ariyalur District. Ariyalur. 2. The Inspector of Police Kayaralabath Police Station, Ariyalur District. 3. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis