Ramasamy Vs The Deputy Superintendent of Police — Madras HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Ramasamy Vs The Deputy Superintendent of Police — Madras HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Impugned order dated 25.06.2026 quashed; petitioner granted protection and permission to conduct the 'Aadal Padal Programme' cultural programme on 03.07.2026 from 07.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. at the temple festival at Dhurusupatti Village, Thanjavur District, subject to 25 conditions (a)-(y), including dress code, prohibition of obscene/political/communal content, videography, payment of police bundobust charges by the organisers, and organiser/committee liability for violations.

Issue for consideration

Whether the impugned proceedings dated 25.06.2026 of the second respondent should be quashed and the respondents directed to grant protection and permission to conduct the 'Aadal Padal Programme' in connection with the temple festival at Dhurusupatti Village, Thanjavur District. +1 more

Court's answer

In view of the two circulars of the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu (Rc.No.159539/Crime.4(3)/2018 signed 31.10.2018 and Rc.007301/GenlI(1)/2019 dated 09.04.2019), which instructed Inspectors of Police throughout Tamil Nadu to consider applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programmes, the impugned order dated 25.06.2026 is quashed.

Ratio / Principle

The writ petition is allowed and the petitioner is permitted to conduct the cultural programme on 03.07.2026 from 07.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. (narrower than the 6.00 a.m.-10 p.m. window prayed for) in connection with the temple festival of Arulmigu Sri Kaliamman, Sri Mariamman, Sri Vinayagar, Sri Balamurugan, Sri Karuppasamy temple at Dhurusupatti Village, Thanjavur District, subject to 25 enumerated conditions (a)-(y) covering relevance to the temple/festival, no obscene display/dance/vulgar dialogues/double-meaning songs, modest dress code (men: dhoti/pyjamas with upper cloth; women: sarees/half saree/chudithars with upper cloth; children: fully covered dress), no political slogans/speeches/symbols/banners or communal content, no digital banners/placards or flex boards, preservation of caste/religious/communal harmony, videography of the entire programme, police power to stop the programme beyond permitted time, payment of police bundobust charges by the organisers, and responsibility of the organisers/committee members for untoward incidents and violations.

Key takeaways

Upon violation of any one of the conditions imposed, the concerned police officer is at liberty to take necessary action as per law and stop the performance forthwith and bring the matter to the notice of the Court; the organisers/committee members shall be held responsible in case of violation of any conditions.ratio¶73

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ Petition (Criminal) — Permission to conduct cultural programme ('Aadal Padal Programme') during temple festival — Madurai Bench of Madras High Court (L. Victoria Gowri, J.), 30.06.2026 — allowed WP CRL.(MD) No.3597 of 2026 filed by Ramasamy, quashing the order dated 25.06.2026 in Na.Ka.No.02/Kaa.Aa/Dhi.Va.A/2026 of the Inspector of Police, Sengipatti Police Station (second respondent), in view of two Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu circulars (Rc.No.159539/Crime.4(3)/2018 signed 31.10.2018 and Rc.007301/GenlI(1)/2019 dated 09.04.2019) instructing Inspectors of Police throughout Tamil Nadu to consider applications for conducting cultural programmes. Petitioner permitted to conduct the programme on 03.07.2026 from 07.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. for the festival of Arulmigu Sri Kaliamman, Sri Mariamman, Sri Vinayagar, Sri Balamurugan, Sri Karuppasamy temple, Dhurusupatti Village, Thanjavur District — note the granted timing (7 p.m.-10 p.m.) differs from the prayer (6 a.m.-10 p.m.) — subject to 25 conditions (a)-(y): programmes must have relevance to the temple/festival; no obscene display/dance, vulgar dialogues or double-meaning songs; no undignified portrayal of women; modest attire mandated (men: dhoti/pyjamas with upper cloth; women: sarees/half saree/chudithars with upper cloth; children: fully covered dress), breach attracting legal action including arrest of organisers and temple committee members; no alcohol/intoxicants; no donations/prizes, songs, dances, slogans, symbols or flex boards bearing political or communal colour; no digital banners/placards on roads; harmony and non-discrimination to be maintained; entire programme to be videographed; police empowered to stop the show beyond permitted hours; police bundobust charges payable by the organisers; other requisite permissions to be obtained; organisers responsible for untoward incidents; on any violation, police may act per law, stop the performance forthwith and report to the Court.

Issues for consideration

2 issues framed by the court

AI extract

1.
Whether the impugned proceedings dated 25.06.2026 of the second respondent should be quashed and the respondents directed to grant protection and permission to conduct the 'Aadal Padal Programme' in connection with the temple festival at Dhurusupatti Village, Thanjavur District.¶13
The court held
In view of the two circulars of the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu (Rc.No.159539/Crime.4(3)/2018 signed 31.10.2018 and Rc.007301/GenlI(1)/2019 dated 09.04.2019), which instructed Inspectors of Police throughout Tamil Nadu to consider applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programmes, the impugned order dated 25.06.2026 is quashed.ratio¶26
2.
On what terms and conditions may the cultural programme ('Aadal Padal Programme') be permitted to be conducted, and what responsibilities rest on the organisers and the police?medium confidence¶26
The court held
The writ petition is allowed and the petitioner is permitted to conduct the cultural programme on 03.07.2026 from 07.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. (narrower than the 6.00 a.m.-10 p.m. window prayed for) in connection with the temple festival of Arulmigu Sri Kaliamman, Sri Mariamman, Sri Vinayagar, Sri Balamurugan, Sri Karuppasamy temple at Dhurusupatti Village, Thanjavur District, subject to 25 enumerated conditions (a)-(y) covering relevance to the temple/festival, no obscene display/dance/vulgar dialogues/double-meaning songs, modest dress code (men: dhoti/pyjamas with upper cloth; women: sarees/half saree/chudithars with upper cloth; children: fully covered dress), no political slogans/speeches/symbols/banners or communal content, no digital banners/placards or flex boards, preservation of caste/religious/communal harmony, videography of the entire programme, police power to stop the programme beyond permitted time, payment of police bundobust charges by the organisers, and responsibility of the organisers/committee members for untoward incidents and violations.ratio¶27