Madras High Court
WP CRL.(MD)/5517/2026 of Sangeetha Vs The Superintendent of Police on 1 October 2026
WP Crl.(MD) No. 5517 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 01-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE P.MURUGAN
WP Crl.(MD) No. 5517 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011423772026}
Sangeetha
W/o.Adaikkalasamy,
D.No.110, Mylapore,
Mandhakkudippatti Post,
Ponnamaravathi Taluk,
Pudukkottai District - 622 407.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Superintendent of Police,
Pudukkottai District,
Pudukkottai.
2. The Inspector of Police,
Ponnamaravathi Police Station,
Pudukkottai District.
..Respondent(s)
To issue a Writ or Direction, more particularly in the nature of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the 2nd respondent in his proceedings Na.Ka.No.07/Ka.Aa.Aa/Pon/Pudu/2026, dt.28.09.2026 and set aside the same as illegal and consequently, direct the 2nd respondent to grant necessary permission and adequate police protection to the petitioner to conduct the historical drama program titled “Veerapandiya Kattabomman”
on 03.10.2026 and 04.10.2026 at Mylapore Village, Ponnamaravathi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, in connection with Prarthanai at Arulmigu Nonndi Karuppasamy Temple.
WP Crl.(MD) No. 5517 of 2026
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.M. Ragul
For Respondent(s):
Mr.D.Rajaboopathy
Government Advocate (Crl. side)
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ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the rejection order passed by the second respondent dated 28.09.2026, in which the petitioner sought permission and police protection to conduct a historical drama titled "Veerapandiya Kattabomman" on 03.10.2026 and 04.10.2026 at Mylapore Village, Ponnamaravathi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, in connection with the temple festival of Arulmigu Nonndi Karuppasamy Temple.
2. Mr.D.Rajaboopathy, learned Government Advocate, (Crl. Side) takes notice for the respondents. Heard the counsel on either side and perused the records.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the villagers of Mylapore Village are conducting the Arulmigu Nondi Karuppasamy Temple Festival (Prarthana) on 03.10.2026 and 04.10.2026. In the said festival, they sought permission and police protection to conduct the "Veerapandiya Kattabomman" drama for two days.
WP Crl.(MD) No. 5517 of 2026
4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) submitted that there is a rival group in the village and one Mr. Saravanan submitted a representation, which was referred by the Inspector of Police to the Tahsildar to conduct a Peace Committee meeting. Even in the impugned order, the Inspector of Police referred the issue to the Peace Committee.
5. As per the judgment of this Court in W.P.(MD) Nos. 6505 and 7179 of 2024 (order dated 12.08.2024), Revenue authorities and Police authorities have no power to conduct a Peace Committee meeting in such matters. The recommendation of the Inspector of Police to the Revenue authorities to conduct a Peace Committee meeting shows a failure to consider the representation of the petitioner seeking permission and police protection to conduct the "Veerapandiya Kattabomman" drama.
6. Veerapandiya Kattabomman is a renowned freedom fighter, and his history ought to be known to the public; thereby, this Court is of the view that the request of the petitioner is acceptable. Even though the learned Government Advocate contended that there is a rival group, it is the duty of the police to maintain law and order and prevent any rival party
WP Crl.(MD) No. 5517 of 2026
from creating a disturbance.
7. Therefore, the police are directed to grant permission and police protection to the petitioner to conduct the "Veerapandiya Kattabomman" drama during the night hours from 10:00 PM on 03.10.2026 to 06:00 AM on 04.10.2026 (next day morning). The time schedule submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner is not disputed by the learned Government Advocate.
8. Accordingly, the impugned order dated 28.09.2026 is set aside, and this Writ Petition is allowed with the following directions:
(i) The second respondent is directed to issue necessary permission and police protection to the petitioner to conduct the "Veerapandiya Kattabomman" drama on 03.10.2026 from 10:00 PM to 06:00 AM (04.10.2026) without demanding any cost/charges.
(ii) The petitioner and organisers shall not make any untoward speeches or actions during the event.
(iii) The petitioner shall not conduct any Adal Padal program, play cinema songs, or touch upon sensitive topics affecting the sentiments of other community people or political affiliations.
WP Crl.(MD) No. 5517 of 2026
(iv) If any untoward incident takes place, the police are given liberty to stop the program immediately and take appropriate legal action against the organisers. 01-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No TM To
1. The Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.
2. The Inspector of Police, Ponnamaravathi Police Station, Pudukkottai District.
3. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
WP Crl.(MD) No. 5517 of 2026
DR.P.MURUGAN, J. TM WP Crl.(MD) No. 5517 of 2026 01-10-2026