Disposed

Vazhivittan v. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by

Madras HC8 Jul 2026WP Crl.(MD)/3762/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The petitioner sought directions to collect temple tax from female karai vagaiyara members to prevent their excommunication from the temple festival. The Court directed the Temple Committee to allow their participation and collect tax, and the police to issue notice under Section 64 BNSS for compliance.

What did the court decide?

Directions issued to Temple Committee to allow female participation and collect tax; Police directed to issue notice under Section 64 BNSS for compliance.

Vazhivittan Vs The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3762 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED : 08.07.2026

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI

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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3762 of 2026

Vazhivittan

... Petitioner

Vs.

The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep By, the District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

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The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

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The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District.

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The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Kamuthi, Ramanathapuram District.

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The Inspector of Police (Circle), Perunali Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

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The Sub-Inspector of Police, Kovilankulam Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

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1/7

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

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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3762 of 2026

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Velusamy

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Ganesan

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Kannayiram

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Subramani

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... Respondents

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PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 6 instruct and monitor the 7^th to 12^th respondents and collect the tax (Vari amount) from the female karai vagaiyara members from excommunicate in the even of Arulmighu Shree Kannayiramoorthy Ayyanar, Shree Karuppannaswamy Temple situated at Araikudi Village, Kamuthi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District scheduled to be held on 10.07.2026 to 12.07.2026 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 04.07.2026.

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Muniyandi For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy (R2, R5 & R6) Government Advocate (Crl.) Ms.M.R.Priyanka Jothi (R1, R3 & R4) Government Advocate (Civil)

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ORDER

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This petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the respondents 1 to 6 instruct and monitor the 7^th to 12^th respondents and collect the tax (Vari amount) from the female karai vagaiyara members to prevent them from being

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

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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3762 of 2026

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excommunicated in the event of Arulmighu Shree Kannayiramoorthy Ayyanar, Shree Karuppannaswamy Temple situated at Araikudi Village, Kamuthi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District scheduled to be held on 10.07.2026 to 12.07.2026 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 04.07.2026.

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The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that there are totally five vagaiyaraas, who are responsible for the conduct of aforesaid temple festival. The petitioner is the senior most lady of the female vahaiyaraa members. The other four vagaiyaraas are trying to excommunicate the female vagaiyaraa in participating in the aforesaid temple festival by refusing to receive temple tax and sought the indulgence of this Court.

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The learned Government Advocate appearing for respondents 1, 3 and 4 submitted that a similar issue arises every year during the Temple Festival. It was further submitted that, as early as in the years 2019 and 2021, peace committee meetings were convened in connection with the Temple Festival, wherein it was resolved that the Temple Committee should collect the temple tax from the female Vagaiyaraa members as well and facilitate their participation in the temple festival and related religious activities.

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

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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3762 of 2026

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The learned Government Advocate further submitted that, notwithstanding the aforesaid resolutions, the very same dispute is repeatedly

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brought before this Court year after year, compelling respondents 3 and 4 to convene peace committee meetings on each such occasion to maintain communal harmony and public order.

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Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials placed before this Court. Considering the limited scope of the relief sought for in this petition, notice to the private respondents is dispensed with.

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In view of the rival submissions made by the parties, this Court makes it clear that, in future, no member of the Temple Committee or any other person shall prevent the female members from participating in the Temple Festival. The Temple Committee shall also receive the temple tax from the female members, wherever such tax is customarily collected, and ensure that they are afforded equal opportunity to participate peacefully in the Temple Festival, worship, and all other customary religious practices associated with the festival.

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The respondent police is directed to issue notice to the petitioner as well as respondents 6 to 10 under Section 64 of the BNSS, requiring them to

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

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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3762 of 2026

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appear before the respondent police on 07.07.2026 . The respondent police shall

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communicate the directions issued by this Court to all concerned and ensure that the same are strictly complied with. In the event of any violation of the directions issued by this Court, the respondent police shall take appropriate action in accordance with law.

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With the above directions, this writ petition stands disposed of.

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08.07.2026

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NCC Index : Yes / No sm

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Note: Issue order copy on 08.07.2026.

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

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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3762 of 2026

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TO :-

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The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

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The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

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The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District.

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The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Kamuthi, Ramanathapuram District.

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The Inspector of Police (Circle), Perunali Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

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The Sub-Inspector of Police, Kovilankulam Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

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

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

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W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3762 of 2026

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

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Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3762 of 2026

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Dated 08.07.2026

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

Vazhivittan v. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Vazhivittan v. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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