WP CRL.(MD)/5138/2026 of M.Saravanan Vs The District Collector on 11 September 2026

ORDER

The petitioner filed this writ petition to direct the respondents to consider his representation dated 07.09.2026, to grant permission for installation of vinayagar idol at Valampuri Vinayagar Temple, Valasai Village, Ervadi, Ramanathapuram District, followed that to conduct Vinayagar Chathurthi festival, procession and immersion of the idol in the sea and also to provide police protection for these aspects.

2. Mr.D.Rajaboopathy, learned Government Advocate, (Crl. Side) takes notice for the respondents 2 & 6 and Mr.A.Sivasubramanian, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for the respondent Nos.1 & 3 to 5. Heard the counsel on either side and perused the records.

3. According to the respondents, the petitioner submitted only representation and not in Form I as per GO.Ms.No.598 Public (Law and Order). Department, dated 09.08.2018. As per the aforesaid Government Order, if the petitioner submits Form-I along with the necessary records and No Objection Certificates (NOCs), the same shall be considered by the designated authority having jurisdiction over the concerned area.

4. There are certain judicial decisions interpreting the said Government Order, wherein some of the clauses therein have been set aside, while certain other clauses have been upheld, as per the decision rendered in W.P.No.22439 of 2018 batch, in the case of Vinayagar Chathurthi Madhiya Kuzhu v. State of Tamil Nadu and another, dated 15.03.2023, and the subsequent decision of this Court in W.P.Crl.(MD) No.1086 of 2025 batch, in the case of S.Kumar v. Commissioner of Police, Madurai and another, dated 26.08.2025.

4. In view of the aforesaid decisions, the petitioner can submit Form-I along with the necessary documents and NOCs, as contemplated under the aforesaid Government Order, before the designated authority.

5. If such Form-I is submitted and found to be in order and in compliance with all the requirements prescribed under the Government Order, the designated authority shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, at the earliest and, in any event, before the proposed festival date.

6. In the present case, it is submitted that no Form-I, as required under the aforesaid Government Order, has been submitted so far. Therefore, the petitioner is at liberty to submit Form-I before the designated authority immediately.

7. On receipt of such Form-I, if the same is in order and satisfies all the requirements, the designated authority shall consider the same and pass suitable orders at the earliest.

8. With the above direction, the petition is disposed of. 11.09.2026 TM To

1. The District Collector Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

2. The Superintendent of Police Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

3. The District Revenue Officer Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.

4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.

5. The Tahsildar Keelakarai Taluk, Ramanathapuram District.

6. The Inspector of Police Ervadi Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

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

DR.P.MURUGAN, J., TM WP.Crl.(MD).No.5138 of 2026 11.09.2026