The Madras High Court disposed of a writ petition challenging a peace committee decision. The court held that such decisions lack statutory force and are not amenable to legal challenge.
Writ petition disposed with no costs.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 20.12.2023
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN
WP(MD)No.20958 of 2023 and WMP(MD)Nos.17356 & 17357 of 2023
C.Murugan
... Petitioner
Vs.
... Respondents
Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent in A1/3846/2023 dated
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23.05.2023 and quash the same as illegal, arbitrary and non-application of mind and consequently direct respondents 3 and 4 not to interfere in the matter of conducting Kumbabishekam and temple festival of Arulmigu Selva Vinayagar and Goddess Sri Malaiyamman.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.Balaji
For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani, Special Government Pleader for R1 to R3
Mr.A.Albert James Government Advocate (crl.side) for R4
ORDER
The petitioner challenges a decision taken in a peace committee meeting. I have consistently been holding that such decisions do not have any statutory force. They are arrived at by the revenue authorities in order to ensure maintenance of law and order. However, they are not amenable to legal challenge. Even if a person breaches them, he will not invite any legal consequence.
2.This writ petition is disposed of. No costs.
20.12.2023
Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Skm
2/4
To
3/4
G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.
SKM
WP(MD)No.20958 of 2023 and WMP(MD)Nos.17356 & 17357 of 2023
20.12.2023
4/4
1 issue framed by the court
Whether a peace committee order in a revenue context is amenable to legal challenge via writ of certiorari/mandamus.
C. Murugan
The District Collector, Ramanathapuram
The Revenue Divisional Officer, Paramakudi
The Tahsildar, Kamuthi Taluk
The Inspector of Police, Kamuthi
Ramar
G.R. Swaminathan
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
