WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 8 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)No.18236 of 2026 Suthakar, S/o. Neelakandan, Keezha Uvari, Karaisuththuvari Village, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District. 2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Tirunelveli District. 3. The Tashildar, Thisayanvilai, Tirunelveli District. 4. Radhakrishnan, S/o. Thangasamy Rajan, Main Road, Uvari, Thisayanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner’s representations dated 14.07.2026 and to grant permission for conducting the annual Kodai Vizha of Arulmigu Brahmasakthi Amman Temple, Uvari, dated 24.08.2026 to 26.08.2026, along with all customary religious and cultural activities, in a peaceful manner and subject to law and order, and consequently and pass such other or further orders as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 8 For Petitioner(s): Mr.B.Micheal Sebastin For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Vashik Ali Additional Government Pleader for R1 to R3 Mr.V.Chandrasekar Standing Counsel for R4 ORDER The petitioner had approached this Court by filing the present writ petition seeking a Writ of Mandamus, after securing a slip for Lunch Motion, to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 14.07.2026 and to grant permission for conducting the annual Kodai Vizha at Arulmigu Brahmasakthi Amman Temple, Uvari, from 24.08.2026 to 26.08.2026, along with the customary religious and cultural activities. 2. It appears that the petitioner had already submitted a representation dated 09.07.2026 to the second respondent/Joint Commissioner, H.R. & C.E. Department, and thereafter, submitted another representation dated 14.07.2026 to the fourth respondent, who is the Hereditary Trustee of the aforesaid Temple. 3. It further appears that the aforesaid Temple is a sub-temple of Arulmigu Suyambu Lingasamy Temple, Uvari. The petitioner had also submitted another representation dated 17.07.2026 to the Executive Officer, who had been specially appointed in connection with the aforesaid Temple festival. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 8 4. The representation of the petitioner was considered by the second respondent/Joint Commissioner, who, vide proceedings in Na.Ka.No.6497/2026/A3, dated 06.08.2026, has observed as under: https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 8 5. The indications are that the petitioner has joined hands with the Poosaris who were removed from the services of the said Temple and seeks to conduct the Temple festival for the members of four communities, namely, Nadar, Yadavar, Kurukkal and Vanniyar. The Temple is under the management of the fourth respondent, who is the Hereditary Trustee of the said Temple. The petitioner is merely a devotee of the Temple. The Hereditary Trustee would have acted in accordance with the customary practices followed in the Temple. If it is the case of the petitioner that the fourth respondent is deviating from the established practices and customs of the Temple, the petitioner has to take steps in accordance with law for removing the fourth respondent. However, a reading of the aforesaid proceedings of the second respondent/Joint Commissioner dated 06.08.2026 indicates that it is the petitioner who has been behaving in an unruly manner. In fact, across the bar, the learned Standing Counsel for the fourth respondent submitted that a Peace Committee Meeting was also convened before the Revenue Divisional Officer today and that the petitioner had behaved unruly. 6. Be that as it may, at this eleventh hour, when the Temple festival is scheduled to commence on 24.08.2026 and culminate on 26.08.2026, the petitioner cannot have a say in the arrangements already made, particularly, in view of the fact that the Hereditary Trustee, along with the Officers of the H.R. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 8 & C.E. Department, had fixed the programme, which, according to them, is in accordance with the customary practices of the Temple. In the event of any deviation from the customary practices by excluding the members of the aforesaid communities, as alleged by the petitioner, it is for the petitioner to take appropriate steps against the fourth respondent as well as the official respondents. 7. As such, the relief sought for in this writ petition at this eleventh hour cannot be granted. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner to participate in the Temple festival between the aforesaid dates along with the ordinary devotees of the Temple. 8. The respondents are directed to ensure that suitable requests are made to the jurisdictional Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli, for providing adequate security on the aforesaid days so that, there is no untoward incident during the Temple festival. 9. The Writ Petition stands disposed of accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 20-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No smn2 Note:- Issue order copy on 20.08.2026. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 __________ Page7 of 8 To 1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District. 2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Tirunelveli District. 3. The Tashildar, Thisayanvilai, Tirunelveli District. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 __________ Page8 of 8 C.SARAVANAN, J. smn2 WP(MD) No. 24464 of 2026 20-08-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis