WP CRL.(MD)/5534/2026 of Murugesan Vs The District Collector, Thoo on 1 October 2026

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the impugned rejection order passed by the 2nd Respondent and seeking a direction to the Respondents to grant permission for conducting a Bullock Cart Race on 04.10.2026 between 06:00 A.M. and 09:00 A.M. from Puliyangulam to Karungulam Road via the Tirunelveli to Tiruchendur Main Road.

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 submits that the proposed Bullock Cart Race is intended to be organized on the occasion of the birthday celebration of one R.K.R. Raja. Upon query by this Court as to

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whether the event is associated with any traditional public or village temple festival, the learned Counsel for the Petitioner fairly admitted that there is no village temple festival involved, and the event is being organized solely to celebrate the birthday of the said individual.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the Respondents strongly opposed the petition and submitted that the Petitioner’s application was rightly rejected on the following reasons. Non-Compliance with Mandatory Conditions, the Petitioner has failed to fulfill or adhere to the 13 standard pre-conditions prescribed for organizing such events/races. The application was not accompanied by the requisite No Objection Certificates (NOC) from essential departments, including the Veterinary / Animal Husbandry Department, Highways Department, Medical Department, and Fire & Rescue Safety Department. The proposed route from Puliyangulam to Karungulam stretches along a major State Highway (Tirunelveli to Tiruchendur Main Road). Conducting a race on a heavy-traffic highway poses a direct threat to public safety and traffic management.

5. He would further submits that there exists a long standing

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communal rift between two rival groups in the village, including disputes involving Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as well as administrative rivalries concerning the local Pandiya Raja and Bala Nachiyar Temples. Regarding this two crime numbers have been registered in Crime Nos.506 of 2020 and 510 of 2020.

6. The learned Government Advocate further submits that from the year 2020 onwards, as many as 9 criminal cases (including cases and counter-cases) have been registered at the Seydunganallur Police Station involving the Petitioner and members of the rival group namely 123/2025, 273/2024, 291/2024, 295/2024, 59/2025, 56/2026 & 57/2026 including the Crime Nos.506/2020 and 510/2020.

7. Having considered the rival submissions and perused the materials placed on record, this Court finds that the Petitioner has failed to follow the prescribed statutory procedures or obtain necessary NOCs from the administrative and emergency authorities prior to seeking permission. Furthermore, given the existing communal friction, temple administration disputes, and the pendency of multiple criminal cases and counter cases between the two groups, permitting the event, that too for a private

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birthday celebration on a public State Highway would create a serious law and order problem. In view of the above circumstances, this Court is of the considered opinion that this is not a fit case to invoke the extraordinary writ jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

8. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs. 01-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No TM To

1. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thoothukudi.

2. The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent District, Thoothukudi.

3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police Deputy Superintendent of Police, Srivaikuntam Sub-Division, Thoothukudi District.

4. The Inspector of Police Seythunganallur Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

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

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DR.P.MURUGAN, J. TM WP Crl.(MD) No. 5534 of 2026 01-10-2026

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