Madras High Court
L.Santhanam vs State Of Tamilnadu Rep By District ... on 27 April, 2026
Author: N. Anand Venkatesh
Bench: N. Anand Venkatesh
W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2442 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 27.04.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI
W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2442 of 2026
L.Santhanam ... Petitioner
Vs.
1. The State of Tamilnadu,
Rep by District Superintendent of Police,
Virudhunagar,
Virudhunagar District.
2. The State of Tamilnadu,
Rep by Deputy Superintendent of Police,
Srivilliputhur,
Virudhunagar District.
3. The Inspector of Police,
Krishnan Kovil Police Station,
Virudhunagar District. ... Respondents
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for
issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to grant permission
and provide adequate police protection for conducting a Cultural Folk Dance
Programme and Cultural Adal Padal Programme in connection with Village
Pongal Festival of V.Muthuramalingapuram Village, Srivilliputhur Taluk,
Virudhunagar District, scheduled respectively, on 27.04.2026 and 28.04.2026
between 07.00 p.m., and 11.00 p.m., based on the petitioner's representation
dated 06.04.2026.
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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2442 of 2026
For Petitioner : Mr.G.Thalaimuthurasu
For Respondents : Mr.S.Ravi
Additional Public Prosecutor
ORDER
This petition has been filed seeing for a direction to the respondents to grant permission and provide adequate police protection for conducting a Cultural Folk Dance Programme and Cultural Adal Padal Programme in connection with Village Pongal Festival of V.Muthuramalingapuram Village, Srivilliputhur Taluk, Virudhunagar District, scheduled respectively, on 27.04.2026 and 28.04.2026 between 07.00 p.m., and 11.00 p.m., based on the petitioner's representation dated 06.04.2026.
2. It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Director General 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 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2442 of 2026 throughout Tamil Nadu for consideration of applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programme.
3. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed on the following conditions:-
(a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Cultural Folk Dance Programme and Cultural Adal Padal Programme on 28.04.2026 from 07.00 to 10.00 p.m., in connection with the Village Pongal Festival of V.Muthuramalingapuram Village, Srivilliputhur Taluk, Virudhunagar District.
(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;
(c) The program shall not extend beyond 10 p.m.;
(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;
(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;
(f) There shall be no supply of alcohol or any intoxicating material in and 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2442 of 2026 around the area where cultural program is scheduled to be held;
(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.
(h) Organizers shall not erect any digital banners/placards on either side of the arterial roads, platforms, walkways/major roads and any other roads;
(i) the function should not affect caste, religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination;
(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.
(k) the Police is empowered to stop the programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time;
(l) if any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same;
(m) the organizers shall have to obtain all other required permission from the authorities concerned;
(n) Any other conditions as the authority concerned consider to impose according to the ground reality.
4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2442 of 2026 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.
27.04.2026
NCC : Yes / No
Index : Yes / No
sm
Note: Issue order copy on 27.04.2026.
TO:-
1. The District Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar District.
2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar District.
3. The Inspector of Police, Krishnan Kovil Police Station, Virudhunagar District.
4. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2442 of 2026 L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.
Sm Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2442 of 2026 Dated 27.04.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis