The Supreme Court declined urgent oral listing of Tamil Nadu’s plea challenging the Madras High Court’s directive permitting lamp-lighting atop Thiruparankundram Hills. The State approached the Court objecting to the High Court’s order allowing devotees to light the Karthigai Deepam lamp near the Deepathoon pillar adjacent to a nearby dargah. However, the Chief Justice of India refused to accept the oral mentioning, noting the restrictions in place on such requests.
A dispute arose after devotees of the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple were permitted by the Madras High Court to light the ceremonial lamp at the hilltop. The State administration raised objections citing law-and-order concerns, leading to contempt proceedings for non-compliance with earlier orders. A single judge initially permitted the ritual with security arrangements by the CISF, which was later affirmed by a Division Bench after the State appealed. Following this dismissal, the single bench resumed hearing in the contempt matter, set aside prohibitory measures in the region, and directed that the lamp-lighting be allowed immediately.
During mentioning before the Apex Court, the State’s counsel sought urgent listing of the Special Leave Petition challenging these directions. However, another counsel opposed the request, alleging that the attempt was merely performative and aimed at demonstrating before the High Court that the State had invoked Supreme Court jurisdiction.
The State insisted it was only requesting a listing, and not pressing the merits at this stage. When the matter was placed for oral mentioning, the CJI refused intervention, stating succinctly, “No mentioning, thank you.”
The Bench was conscious of the circular issued last week which restricts oral mentioning except in cases of extraordinary urgency and only with the Chief Justice’s consent. The Court therefore did not entertain the request for out-of-turn listing. Meanwhile, it was reported locally that officials had prevented devotees from lighting the lamp the previous evening, and some individuals attempting to ascend the hill were detained.
The Special Leave Petition is filed by the Madurai District Collector, K.J. Praveenkumar, I.A.S., and Commissioner of Police J. Loganathan, I.P.S., both of whom are facing contempt proceedings before the High Court. The plea was registered the previous night, shortly after the High Court directed compliance and fixed the matter for further reporting at 10:30 AM the following day.
The Top Court has not yet assigned a hearing date, and the matter remains pending listing through regular procedure unless urgency is demonstrated in accordance with the prescribed norms.
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