(Prayer: To issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the respondents, particularly respondents 1,2,4 and 5, to consider and act upon the petitioner's representation dated 25.09.2026 and to provide adequate and effective police protection / bandobust for the peaceful conduct of the Arulmigu Selliyamman Temple festival at Palakkapatti, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District, schedule to be conducted from 06.10.2026 to 08.10.2026 and to take all necessary preventive measures to prevent any obstruction, confrontation, breach of peace or disturbance of law and order, while permitting all lawful activities and ensuring that no individual or group takes the law into its own hands.)

1. This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents, particularly respondents 1, 2, 4 and 5, to consider the petitioner's representation dated 25.09.2026 and to provide adequate police protection/bandobust for the peaceful conduct of the festival of Arulmigu Selliyamman Temple at Palakkapatti, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District, scheduled to be conducted from 06.10.2026 to 08.10.2026, and to take all necessary preventive measures to prevent any obstruction, confrontation, breach of peace or disturbance to law and order.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner seeks permission and adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct of the temple festival. He would further submit that there is an apprehension of confrontation between two groups in relation to the manner and timing of worship in the temple.

3. The learned Additional Government Pleader for the third respondent would submit that, in order to resolve the issue amicably and to maintain peace and tranquillity in the locality, a peace meeting was conducted in the presence of the Village Administrative Officer, Paanamooppanpatti. In the said meeting, both parties have agreed to worship the deity separately and have accepted a specific time schedule.

4. The proceedings of the peace meeting placed before this Court disclose that the A-Party has agreed to worship the deity on 06.10.2026 from 6.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., whereas the B-Party, to which the petitioner belongs, has agreed to worship the deity from 8.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. It has also been agreed that both parties shall not take out Maavilakku or Karagam processions or go around the village on 06.10.2026.

5. It is further seen from the proceedings of the peace meeting that both parties have been specifically informed that, if any person indulges in any quarrel or creates any law and order problem while worshipping the deity during the time allotted to them, the permission granted to the concerned party would be cancelled without any further notice. Both parties have also agreed to strictly adhere to the guidelines and instructions issued by the police authorities.

6. In view of the above consensus arrived at between the parties, this Court is of the view that the apprehension expressed by the petitioner can be adequately addressed by directing the respondent police to ensure that the arrangement arrived at in the peace meeting is strictly adhered to by both parties.

7. Accordingly, the respondent police are directed to provide adequate police protection/bandobust for the peaceful conduct of the temple festival and to ensure that the mutually agreed time schedule is strictly followed. The AParty shall be permitted to worship the deity on 06.10.2026 from 6.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., and the B-Party, to which the petitioner belongs, shall be permitted to worship the deity from 8.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

8. Both parties shall strictly abide by the terms agreed upon in the peace meeting. They shall not indulge in any act which may result in confrontation or disturbance to public peace and tranquillity. In particular, neither party shall take out Maavilakku or Karagam processions or go around the village on 06.10.2026. Both parties shall also strictly comply with the instructions and guidelines issued by the respondent police from time to time.

9. It is made clear that, in the event of any violation of the above arrangement or any attempt by either party to disturb law and order, the respondent police are at liberty to take appropriate action in accordance with law, including cancellation of the permission granted to the concerned party, without any further notice.

10. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.