WP CRL.(MD). No.783 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 12/02/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY WP CRL.(MD). No.783 of 2026 K.Sanmugasundaram ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, Madurai. 2. The Inspector of Police, Samayanallur Police Station, Madurai District. 3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Madurai North, Collectorate Campus, Madurai - 625020. Tamil Nadu. ... Respondents [3rd respondent is suo motu impleaded in this petition vide order dated 12.02.2026 by SSYJ] PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st Respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 04.02.2026 and consequently direct the respondents to provide 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.783 of 2026 adequate police protection and permit the petitioner and his family members to enter Sri KattapuliKaruppanna Swamy Temple, Kattapuli Nagar, Madurai-Dindigul National Highway, and to act as priests and perform poojas during the Maha Shivaratri and Masi Kalari festivals scheduled to be held on 15.02.2026 and 16.02.2026, and to ensure peaceful participation of the petitioner’s family members in the said festival. For Petitioner : J.William Christopher, Advocate. For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER The Tahsildar, Madurai North, Madurai District, is suo motu impleaded in this petition as 3rd respondent. 2. According to the petitioner he is having hereditary poojariship right. According to the prosecution, one Rajendran is acting as poojari. Therefore when the disputed question is there, this 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.783 of 2026 Court is not inclined to pass any order. The petitioner and the said Rajendran and also any other rival claims may adjudicate the issue before the Tahsildar for this year alone. 3. With this direction, this writ petition is disposed of. As far as the worship is concerned, the petitioner and other rival claimants and all devotees are permitted to worship on that day. It is made clear that the petitioner is not permitted to any other rights except worship. No Costs. 12.02.2026 PJL Note:issue order copy on 12.02.2026. TO 1. The Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, Madurai. 2. The Inspector of Police, Samayanallur Police Station, Madurai District. 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP CRL.(MD). No.783 of 2026 S.SRIMATHY,J PJL ORDER IN WP CRL.(MD) No.783 of 2026 Date : 12/02/2026 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis