[Cites 1, Cited by 0]
Madras High Court
M.Bharath vs The Assistant Commissioner on 11 March, 2026
Author: M.Nirmal Kumar
Bench: M.Nirmal Kumar
W.P.Crl.No.521 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 11.03.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR
W.P.Crl.No.521 of 2026
M.Bharath ... Petitioner
vs.
1.The Assistant Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department,
No.215, 1st Floor, Office of District Collector,
Namakkal.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer,
Office of Revenue Divisional Officer,
Thiruchengode, Namakkal District.
3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,
Jedarpalayam Police Station,
Namakkal District.
4.The Sub Inspector of Police,
Jedarpalayam Police Station,
Namakkal District.
5.E.N.Madeswaran ... Respondent
PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or
direction in the nature of a writ or order by directing the respondents 3 and 4
to provide with sufficient Police protection to the Masi Festival of Arulmigu
Mahamariyamman Temple existing at Jameen Elampalli Village, Paramathi
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W.P.Crl.No.521 of 2026
Velur Taluk, Namakkal District from 10.03.2026 onwards for fifteen days by
considering the representation of the petitioner dated 16.02.2026.
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Nalliyappan
For R1 to R4 : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam,
Additional Public Prosecutor
For R5 : Mr.Ma.Pa.Thangavel
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents 3 and 4 to
provide with sufficient Police protection for Masi Festival of Arulmigu
Mahamariyamman Temple existing at Jameen Elampalli Village, Paramathi
Velur Taluk, Namakkal District for fifteen days from 10.03.2026 onwards by
considering the representation of the petitioner dated 16.02.2026.
2.Learned for the petitioner submitted that the representation of the
petitioner is that each year during Masi month at Jameen Elampalli Village,
Paramathi Velur Taluk, Namakkal District, a festival would be conducted for
Arulmigu Mahamariyamman Temple and as per the order of this Court in
W.P.No.8211 of 2025, the festival was conducted in the year 2025. Hence,
he seeks for Police protection.
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3.Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents
1 to 4 submitted that the petitioner claiming exclusive right on the basis of
caste and not permitting others to conduct and participate in the temple
festival. Hence, there is likelihood of law and order if the petitioner’s group
who are B party are permitted to conduct the festival.
4.Learned counsel for the 5th respondent submits that pursuant to the
order passed by this Court in W.P.No.9433 of 2026 dated 06.03.2026, a
peace committee meeting was conducted by the Revenue Divisional Officer,
Tiruchengode/2nd respondent on 09.03.2026. Finding that the petitioner’s
group take a rigid stand not permitting the other caste people to participate in
the festival, the 2nd respondent directed the 1st respondent herein to conduct
the festival and the jurisdictional Police to give adequate Police protection.
Now the temple festival is in progress.
5.Considering the submissions and perusal of the materials, it is seen
that pursuant to the order passed by this Court on 06.03.2026 in
W.P.No.9433 of 2026, a peace committee meeting conducted, the petitioner
participated in the meeting, his name is shown in Serial No.2 of B party.
The outcome of the peace committee meeting is that if both A and B parties
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agreed to jointly conduct the festival, it can be conducted under the guidance
of the 1st respondent and the Police to give required Police protection to
maintain law and order. This conditional order is accepted by this Court.
For better appreciation, scanned reproduction of the order of the peace
committee meeting is as follows:
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6.In view of the above, the petitioner is permitted to participate in the
temple festival as per the aforesaid conditions of the peace committee
meeting. If there is any violation to conditions of the peace committee
meeting, the respondent Police to take appropriate action against the person
who breaches the same.
7.In the result, this Writ Petition Criminal is disposed of. No costs.
11.03.2026
Index: Yes/No
Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No
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To
1.The Assistant Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department,
No.215, 1st Floor, Office of District Collector,
Namakkal.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer,
Office of Revenue Divisional Officer,
Thiruchengode, Namakkal District.
3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,
Jedarpalayam Police Station,
Namakkal District.
4.The Sub Inspector of Police,
Jedarpalayam Police Station,
Namakkal District.
5.The Public Prosecutor,
Madras High Court.
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M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.
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11.03.2026
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