P.Mathivanan Inbaraj vs The Commissioner Of Police
2026 Latest Caselaw 825 Mad

Madras High Court

P.Mathivanan Inbaraj vs The Commissioner Of Police on 26 February, 2026

Author: S.Srimathy

Bench: S.Srimathy

                                                                                        WP Crl.(MD) NO. 1169 of 2026

                     BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
                                              DATED: 26-02-2026
                                                      CORAM
                                  THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY
                                         WP Crl.(MD) NO. 1169 of 2026

                                        and W.M.P(MD)No.301 of 2026

             P.Mathivanan Inbaraj
                                                                                                Petitioner(s)

                                                          Vs

            1. The Commissioner of Police,
               Madurai City, Madurai.

            2. The Inspector Of Police
              Thiruppalai Police Station,
              Narayanapuram,
              Madurai 625 014.

            3. The Tahsildar,
              Madurai North,
               Madurai.

            4. The Revenue Divisional Officer
              Madurai.

            5. The Bishop/Chairman,
              Diocese of Madurai-Ramnad,
               CSI, AVH Building H4,
              162 East Veli Street,
              Madurai 625 001.
                                                                                             Respondent(s)




            1/6


https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis               ( Uploaded on: 02/03/2026 11:33:04 am )
                                                                                           WP Crl.(MD) NO. 1169 of 2026



            For Petitioner(s):
                            M/s.M.Venkatesh
            For Respondent(s):
                            Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad,
                            Government Advocate (crl. Side), for R-1 & R-2

                                       Mr.M. Muthumanikkam,
                                       Government Advocate (civil side), for R-3 & R-4

                                       Mr.M. Rajaraman, for R-5

            Prayer: To issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 to provide
            adequate police protection and take necessary action against the interference of the
            5th respondent and his men in the day to day administration and conduct the
            service of St.Peters Church, Thiruppalai, Madurai District by the duly elected
            Committee represented by its Secretary .


                                                         ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of

Mandamus directing respondents 1 and 2 to provide adequate police protection and

to take necessary action against the interference of the 5th respondent and his men

in the day-to-day administration and conduct of services at St. Peter’s Church,

Thiruppalai, Madurai District, by the duly elected Committee represented by its

Secretary.

2. According to the petitioner, there is an MOU dated 04.03.2017,

wherein, under Clause 7, the Bishop may appoint a Priest from the list of three

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 02/03/2026 11:33:04 am ) WP Crl.(MD) NO. 1169 of 2026

persons circulated by the Thiruppalai Church. As on date, the existing Priest

resigned on 13.02.2026. The Bishop has appointed one George Blazey as the Priest

of the petitioner Church. Since it is only an ad hoc arrangement, and in order to

enable the Church to function properly without any law and order issues, this Court

directs the members of the Church, namely:

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6. E. vkpkhs; tpf;Nlhhpah

7. D. Kj;Jr; nropad;

8. V.J. kNf];

9. A. mUs; Mde;j;

10. W. &gd; gpuhq;f;spd;

11. K.S.Njtjhrd;

12. N. Qhdf; fz;

13. K. rhk;uhI;

14. M. mkph;juh[;

15. D.uh[d;

to circulate a list of three persons to the Bishop, then the Bishop in turn shall select

one person from the list and appoint a priest.

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3. To make it clear at the cost of repetition, except Mathivanan Inbaraj,

the others shall circulate a list of three names for appointment as Priest. Upon

receipt of the list, the Bishop may select any one of the three and appoint him as

Priest.

4. This adhoc arrangement is made only to ensure that the Church

functions smoothly without any law and order issues or clashes between the groups.

5. Insofar as the rights of all parties are concerned, they are at liberty to

approach the appropriate forum and seek their remedies.

6. With these directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No Costs.

Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is also closed.

26-02-2026 KSA

Note : Issue a copy of order on 02.03.2026

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 02/03/2026 11:33:04 am ) WP Crl.(MD) NO. 1169 of 2026

To

1. The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai.

2. The Inspector Of Police Thiruppalai Police Station, Narayanapuram, Madurai 625 014.

3. The Tahsildar, Madurai North, Madurai.

4. The Revenue Divisional Officer Madurai.

5. The Bishop/Chairman, Diocese of Madurai-Ramnad, CSI, AVH Building H4, 162 East Veli Street, Madurai 625 001.

6.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 02/03/2026 11:33:04 am ) WP Crl.(MD) NO. 1169 of 2026

S.SRIMATHY.J,

KSA

26.02.2026

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 02/03/2026 11:33:04 am )