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Madras High Court
Ramalingam vs The District Collector on 6 March, 2026
W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1287 of 2025
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 06.03.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI
W.P.Crl.(MD).No.1287 of 2025
Ramalingam .... Petitioner
Vs.
1. The District Collector,
Madurai District,
Madurai.
2. The Superintendent of Police,
Madurai District,
Madurai.
3. The Inspector of Police,
B2 Keelavalavu Police Station,
Madurai District.
....Respondents
Prayer: This Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of
India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the
records relating to the impugned order in Na.Ka.No.04/Keelavalavu
PS/2026 dated 18.02.2026 passed by the 3rd respondent and quash
the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to give
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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.1287 of 2025
permission and police protection to conduct Rekla Race on
08.03.2026 from Vellalur to Aattukulam in connection with the
Vellalure Nadu Shri Velladikarar Swami Alayam Temple Function.
For Petitioner : Mr. K.Sathish Kumar
For R-1 : Mr. C.Sathessh,
Government Advocate
For R-2 & R-3 : Mr.S.S.Manoj,
Government Advocate (Crl. side)
ORDER
Seeking to quash the Impugned order in Na.Ka.No.
04/Keelavalavu PS/2026 dated 18.02.2026 passed by the 3rd
respondent and thereafter permit the petitioner to conduct Rekla
Race and also to direct the respondent police to afford proper police
protection to conduct the same on 08.03.2026 from Vellalur to
Aattukulam with respect to the Vellalure Nadu Shri Velladikarar
Swami Alayam Temple Function, this writ petition is filed.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the
petitioner is the member of the temple committee / organising
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committee. In view of the Masi Kodai festival pertaining to the said
temple every year, a Rekla Race is conducted from time to time, and
even this year, it is proposed to be conducted on 08.03.2026 at
about 8:00 AM from the village Vellalur to Aattukulam. In order to
conduct the said festival, the village people had also formed a festival
committee in which the petitioner is one of the Commitee members.
In this regard, a representation was sent to the 3 rd respondent on
16.02.2026, which was rejected by the 3rd respondent by the
impugned proceedings dated 18.02.2026. Hence, seeking to quash
the same and permit the petitioners to conduct the Rekla Race, this
Writ Petition is filed.
3. The learned Government Advocate, Mr. Satheesh, appearing
for the 1st respondent, submitted that considering the impugned
order passed by the 3rd respondent, the first respondent has also
declined permission and placed before me the proceedings of the 1st
respondent.
4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. side) Mr.S.S.Manoj,
appearing for the respondents 2 and 3, categorically contended that
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a circular memorandum has been issued by the Director General of
Police, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, on 07.03.2024 for the purpose of
regulating the conduct of bullock cart race across the State. In the
instant case, the permission is sought for conducting the Rekla Race
along Sivagangai - Melur National Highway. However, the said
circular memorandum specifically prohibits the race from being
conducted on National Highways or State Highways, and it is also
mandated that such a race could preferably be conducted in village
roads or any other mud track prepared on an empty field.
5. Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully
perused the materials available on record.
6. Considering the directions of the circular memorandum as
issued by the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, the impugned
order passed by the 3rd respondent is hereby set aside, and the
petitioner is directed to give a fresh representation and thereafter, in
consultation with the 3rd respondent, find out a route to conduct the
same. The 1st respondent, on identifying a proper route by the
petitioner as well as the 3rd respondent, would afford necessary
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permission for conducting the same. It is made clear that the 3rd
respondent would dispose of the petitioner's representation by
tomorrow (i.e., on 07.03.2026) itself.
7. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands allowed.
06.03.2026
NCC : Yes / No
Index : Yes / No
Internet : Yes/ No
Sml
Note: Issue order copy on 06.03.2026.
To
1. The District Collector,
Madurai District,
Madurai.
2. The Superintendent of Police,
Madurai District,
Madurai.
3. The Inspector of Police,
B2 Keelavalavu Police Station,
Madurai District.
4. The Additional Public Prosecutor,
Madurai Bench of Madras High Court,
Madurai.
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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.
Sml
06.03.2026
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