Pl.Ramasamy v. The District Collector,

ORDER This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 7 to take appropriate action against the respondents 8 and 9 for allegedly excommunicating the petitioner for not collecting the temple tax and for preventing the petitioner from worshipping the deity and participating in other temple-related activities. The petitioner further seeks a consequential direction to the 8th respondent to collect the temple tax and permit the petitioner to worship the deity and participate in temple activities, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 13.05.2026.

¶2The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been unlawfully excommunicated by the 8th and 9th respondents and prevented from entering and worshipping and other temple activities in the aforesaid temple. Aggrieved by the said action, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 13.05.2026 to the concerned authorities seeking appropriate intervention. Since no action has been taken on the said representation till date, the present writ petition has been filed. He further submitted that vibhudhi offered to the devotees are not given in hand, but placed on the floor.

¶3The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent police submitted that the respondent police would ensure that no individual is prevented from entering, participating in, or worshipping at the aforesaid temple and that adequate measures would be taken to maintain peace and public order. He further submitted that on considering the petitioner's representation, CSR No.315 of 2026 was issued on 18.05.2026, wherein the enquiry was conducted and the same was closed.

¶4Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record. Since no adverse order is proposed to be passed against the private respondents, notice to them is dispensed with.

¶5The precise plight of the petitioner is that vibhudhi offered to the devotees are not given in hand, but placed on the floor.

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the respondent police are directed to reopen the proceedings in CSR No.315 of 2026, dated

18.05.2026, and issue notices to the petitioner as well as the respondents 8 and 9 under Section 64 of the BNSS.

¶7Making it clear that no person in this country can be excommunicated from entering a temple or worshipping any deity therein, this Court also directs the respondent police to conduct an enquiry and conclude the same in accordance with law, while ensuring that the petitioner is not subjected to any form of excommunication or obstruction in the exercise of his lawful rights. The respondent police shall further ensure that the petitioner is permitted to enter the subject temple for worship and to participate in all religious functions connected therewith, without any fear, obstruction, or hindrance. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is further made clear that no individual shall claim any exclusive right to, or insist upon, the conferment of first honour in connection with the temple festivals or other religious functions.

¶8Though it has been brought to the notice of this Court that the festival in question has already concluded, it is made clear that, in future, during temple festivals or any other auspicious occasions, the respondent police shall ensure that no person is excommunicated or prevented from entering the temple and participating in religious activities in accordance with law.

¶9The private respondents are further directed not to excommunicate or in any manner prevent any person, including the petitioner, from participating in the temple festival or from engaging in regular worship at the subject temple.

¶10With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of.

01.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm TO:-

¶1The District Collector, Collectorate Campus, Pudukkottai District.

¶2The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Illuppur, Pudukkottai District.

¶4The Tashildar, Illuppur, Pudukkottai District.

¶5The Inspector of Police, Annavasal Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

¶6The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. Dated

01.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 01.06.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI PL.Ramasamy ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector, Collectorate Campus, Pudukkottai District. 2. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep By, the Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai. 3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Pudukkottai. 4. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Pudukkottai. 5. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Illuppur, Pudukkottai District. 6. The Tashildar, Illuppur, Pudukkottai District. 7. State of Tamilnadu, Rep by Inspector of Police, Annavasal Police Station, Pudukkottai District. 8. Palaniappan Servai 9. Kannan Poosari ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st to 7th respondents to take action against the 8th and 9th respondents for excommunicating petitioner for not collecting the temple tax, for preventing the petitioner from worshipping the God and other temple activities and consequently direct the 8th respondent to collect temple tax and worshipping the God by considering the petitioner's representation dated 13.05.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Sivalingam For Respondents : Mr.K.Saravanan (R1, R5 & R6) Counsel for State of TN (Crl.Side) Mr.D.Rajaboopathy (R2 & R7) Counsel for State of TN (Crl.Side) Mr.K.M.Alagar (R8 & R9)