Sivachidambaram vs The Revenue Divisional Officer
2026 Latest Caselaw 1631 Mad

Madras High Court

Sivachidambaram vs The Revenue Divisional Officer on 7 April, 2026

Author: M.Nirmal Kumar

Bench: M. Nirmal Kumar

                                                                          WP Crl. No. 772 of 2026


                                  IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
                                                 DATED: 07-04-2026
                                                       CORAM
                            THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR
                                               WP Crl. No. 772 of 2026
                                                       AND
                                             WPMP CRL. NO. 252 OF 2026
                Sivachidambaram
                                                                          Petitioner
                                                          Vs
                1. The Revenue Divisional Officer
                Mettur, Salem District.
                2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police
                Mettur, Salem District
                3.The Inspector Of Police
                Karumalaikoodal Police Station,
                Salem District.
                                                                          Respondents

                PRAYER

                This writ petition is preferred under Article 226 of the Constitution of India
                seeking to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus or any other appropriate
                writ or order or direction in the nature of writ to call for the records pertaining
                to      the       impugned    order   passed   by   the      2nd       respondent   in
                Na.Ka.No.34/Tu.Kaa.Ka/Oliperukki/Mettur/2026 dated 29.03.2026 and quash
                the same and consequently direct the respondents No.1 to 3 to issue permission
                and provide police protection to conduct program in event of Arulmigu Sree
                Sakthi Mariyamman Temple festival at Poraiyur, Gonur Village, Mettur Taluk,


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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
                                                                        WP Crl. No. 772 of 2026


                Salem district on 09.04.2026 between 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm pursuant to the
                petitioner’s representation dated 24.03.2026 and pass such further or other
                orders as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and
                circumstances of the case and thus render justice.


                                  For Petitioner(s):   Mr.C.Deepakkumar

                                  For Respondents:     Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam,
                                                       Addl. Public Prosecutor
                                                       for RR2 and 3


                                                        ORDER

Challenging the impugned order passed by the second respondent

rejecting petitioner’s request for granting permission to conduct cultural festival

in the night hours on 09.04.2026 in connection with ‘Arulmighu Shree Sakthi

Mariammal Temple’ festival in Poraiyur, the present writ petition has been

preferred by the petitioner.

2.Mr.C.Deepakkumar, learned counsel on record for the writ petitioner is

before this court. The learned counsel contended that the reason given for

rejection is that due to the upcoming election, the model code of conduct is in

force and therefore, the permission cannot be granted. It is submitted by the

learned counsel for the petitioner that the festival has been conducted regularly

and it is only a dance cultural programme which will be conducted during the

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

festival and there is no objection from any person and there is no complaint

from any one. Further, the petitioner does not foresee any disturbance to the

public and there will be no law and order problem. In such circumstances,

apprehending disturbance to the law and order, rejecting the request of the

petitioner to conduct the cultural programme in the festival is not proper.

3.Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, learned Additional Public Prosecutor

who takes notice for respondents 2 and 3 submitted that due to the upcoming

general election, the police is unable to divert its force from the election duty

and further, the model code of conduct is in force and therefore, the permission

cannot be granted. Further, the cultural programme will be held during night

hours and that there will be disturbance to the public. It is further submitted that

if the petitioner makes his request after the election, the same shall be

considered favourably.

4.This court considered the submissions made by both sides and finds

some force in the submission made by the learned Additional Public

Prosecution. It is to be noted that the general election is going to be held to the

assembly and the election process is going on and that the model code of

conduct is in force. At that time, granting permission to conduct the cultural

programme during the temple festival will not be feasible and that sufficient

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police force will not be available during the programme. Therefore, this court

finds no reason to interfere with the impugned order. Hence, this writ petition is

dismissed, giving liberty to the petitioner to renew his request after the general

election. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

07-04-2026

Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes Neutral Citation:Yes/No vvk

To

1.The Revenue Divisional Officer Mettur, Salem.

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police Mettur, Salem.

3.The Inspector Of Police Karumalaikoodal Police Station, Salem.

4.Additional Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

M.NIRMAL KUMAR J.

vvk

AND WPMP CRL. NO.

252 OF 2026

07-04-2026

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis