Allowed

Kathirvel v. The Election Officer

Madras HC24 Apr 2026WP Crl.(MD)/2367/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Petition challenging police rejection of permission to conduct a DJ Adal Padal cultural programme and temple festival at Arulmigu Sri Mariyamman Temple, Rajapalayam. Citing DGP circulars on cultural programmes, the Court quashed the impugned order and allowed the event from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., imposing conditions on content, timing and conduct.

What did the court decide?

Impugned rejection order quashed; permission granted to conduct the Adal Padal programme on 27.04.2026, 7 p.m.–10 p.m., subject to fourteen conditions; miscellaneous petition closed; no costs.

Kathirvel Vs The Election Officer — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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WP CRL.(MD). No.2367 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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Dated : 24/04/2026

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI

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WP CRL.(MD). No.2367 of 2026 and WPMP CRL.(MD). No.581 of 2026

Kathirvel

... Petitioner

The Election Officer, The Thasildar Office, Rajapalayam.

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The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

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The State of Tamilnadu Rep By The Inspector of Police, South Police Station, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District. ... Respondents

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PRAYER :-

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To issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent in his proceedings in 157/RIPS/RJPM/2026 dated 19.04.2026 and quash the same as illegal, consequently, directing the respondents to grant 1/6

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

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WP CRL.(MD). No.2367 of 2026

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permission and necessary protection to conduct the DJ "Adal Padal" programme on 27.04.2026 at 06.00 pm to 11.00 pm and customary temple festival function on 27.04.2026 in connection with Arulmigu Sri Mariyamman Temple at Rajapalayam Mariyamman Kovil Street, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

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For Petitioner : Mr. Bharathi S, Advocate.

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For Respondents : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam for R1 Government Advocate (Civil Side)

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Mr.S.Ravi for R2 and R3 Additional Public Prosecutor

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ORDER

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This petition has been filed challenging the rejection order passed

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by the 3^rd respondent, in his proceedings in 157/RIPS/RJPM/2026 dated 19.04.2026 with a consequential direction to the respondents to grant permission and necessary protection to conduct the DJ "Adal Padal" programme on 27.04.2026 at 06.00 pm to 11.00 pm and customary temple festival function on 27.04.2026 in connection with Arulmigu Sri Mariyamman Temple at Rajapalayam Mariyamman Kovil Street, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

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

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WP CRL.(MD). No.2367 of 2026

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It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Director General

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of Police, Tamil Nadu issued two circulars bearing Rc.No.159539/Crime. 4(3)/2018, signed on 31.10.2018 and Rc.007301/GenlI(1)/2019, dated 09.04.2019, wherein instructions have been given to the Inspectors of Police throughout Tamil Nadu for consideration of applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programme.

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In view of the above, the impugned order dated 27.04.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:-

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(a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Adal Padal program on 27.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Arulmigu Sri Mariyamman Temple at Rajapalayam Mariyamman Kovil Street, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

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(b) The organisers, who shall be the responsible members of the festival committee, shall ensure that only cultural programs having some relevance to the temple or the festival in question would be conducted and there shall not be any obscene display/dance being conducted;

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

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WP CRL.(MD). No.2367 of 2026

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(d) No women participating in the cultural program would be depicted or portrayed in an obscene or undignified manner either in the form of clothing or otherwise;

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(e) The music that shall be used shall be in sync with the precincts of the temple and double meaning songs should not be played;

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(f) There shall be no supply of alcohol or any intoxicating material in and around the area where cultural program is scheduled to be held;

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(g) None of the songs or dances performed in the said programme shall exhibit any political tone, tenor, or colour, nor shall they relate to or promote any religion, community, or caste.

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(h) Organizers shall not erect any digital banners/placards on either side of the arterial roads, platforms, walkways/major roads and any other roads;

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(i) the function should not affect caste, religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination;

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(j) The attire of the dancers performing in the said programme should be modest and does not involve exposure of the midriff, thighs, legs or chest. Any violation of this condition shall result in legal action, including the arrest of the organisers and all members of the temple committee.

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(k) the Police is empowered to stop the programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time;

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

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WP CRL.(MD). No.2367 of 2026

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(l) if any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same;

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(m) the organizers shall have to obtain all other required permission from the authorities concerned;

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(n) Any other conditions as the authority concerned consider to impose according to the ground reality.

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In case of violation of any conditions, it is open to the authorities to initiate such action as is required under law and the persons who are the organisers/committee members shall be held responsible. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

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24.04.2026

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NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no Note : Issue order copy on 24.04.2026

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

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WP CRL.(MD). No.2367 of 2026

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L. VICTORIA GOWRI, J

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The Election Officer, The Thasildar Office, Rajapalayam.

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The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

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3.The Inspector of Police, South Police Station, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

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

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ORDER IN WP CRL.(MD). No.2367 of 2026 and WPMP CRL.(MD). No.581 of 2026

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Date : 24/04/2026

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

Kathirvel v. The Election Officer

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Kathirvel v. The Election Officer

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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