Disposed¶50

Poongodi v. State of Tamilnadu

Madras HC19 Jan 2026WP/874/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

W.P.No.874 of 2026; High Court of Judicature at Madras; 19.01.2026; Article 226 Constitution of India; writ of mandamus; Paadayatra pilgrims; Arulmigu Dandayudhapani Swamy Temple Palani; basic amenities toilet medical garbage disposal; local authorities responsible for cleaning; representation dated 12.12.2025; State of Tamil Nadu Rural Development and Panchayat Raj; District Collectors Erode Tiruppur Salem Namakkal Dindigul; Block Development Officers; Temple Executive Officer; writ petition disposed; no order as to costs; Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava; G. Arul Murugan.

What did the court decide?

No mandamus issued; writ petition disposed of with the Court expressing hope and trust that the local authority undertakes proper cleaning work; no order as to costs. ¶50

Poongodi Vs State of Tamilnadu — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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W.P.No.874 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 19.01.2026

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CORAM :

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THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN

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W.P.No.874 of 2026

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Poongodi W/o.D.Naveen Kumar D/o.Sakthivel 117/2, Sanjay Nagar, Erode - 638 011.

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Petitioner

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1.State of Tamil Nadu Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Secretariat, Fort St George, Chenani - 600 009.

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2.The Director Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Panagal Maligai, Saidapet, Chennai - 600 015.

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3.The District Collector, Erode Erode District Collectorate Erode - 638 011.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.874 of 2026

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4.The District Collector, Tiruppur Tiruppur District Collectorate, Tiruppur - 641 604.

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5.The District Collector, Salem Salem District Collectorate, Salem - 636 001.

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6.The District Collector, Namakkal Namakkal District Collectorate, Namakkal - 637 003.

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7.The District Collector, Dindigul Dindigul District Collectorate, Dindigul - 624 004.

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8.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Modakkurichi - 638 104.

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9.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Chennimalai - 638 051.

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10.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Edappadi - 637 105.

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11.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Pallipalayam - 638 006.

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12.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Paramathi - 637 207.

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13.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Kundadam - 638 702.

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W.P.No.874 of 2026

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14.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Moolanur - 638 106.

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15.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Kangeyam - 638 701.

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16.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Vellakoil - 638 111.

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17.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Chennimalai - 638 051.

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18.The Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat) Palani - 624 601.

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19.The Executive Officer Arulmigu Dandayudhpani Swamy Temple Palani - 624 601

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Respondents

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PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to take necessary steps to ensure that basic amenities such as toilet facilities, medical facilities and garbage disposal facilities are provided to the devotees undertaking who participate in Paadayatra to the famous Arulmigu Dandayudhapani Swamy Temple at Palani, particularly form district such as Erode, Salem, Tiruppur, Namakkal and Dindigul, by considering the representation dated 12.12.2025 submitted by the petitioner.

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For Petitioner: Mr.N.S.Amogh Simha For Respondents: Mr.M.Habeeb Rahman Government Advocate for respondent Nos.1 to 18

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Page 3 of 7

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W.P.No.874 of 2026

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ORDER

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(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice)

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The grievance ventilated through this petition is to provide

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garbage disposal facilities to the pilgrims undertaking “paadayatra”. Petitioner has already submitted a representation in this regard.

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Learned State Counsel would submit that it is for the local

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authorities to provide such facilities and carry out necessary cleaning work.

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Cleaning of garbage is a matter which is to be looked into

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by the local authorities. We hope and trust that proper cleaning work is undertaken by the local authority.

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Writ petition is disposed of accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs.

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(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 19.01.2026 Index : Yes/No Neutral Citation : Yes/No sasi

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.874 of 2026

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To:

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1.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Secretariat, Fort St George, Chenani 600 009

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