Madras HC Permits Gudalur Temple Festival Adal Padal On Nov 10, Quashing Police Rejection Subject To Conditions

In brief

The question

1. Whether the police order refusing permission for the Aadal Padal programme should be quashed

The court held

The Court quashed the second respondent’s order dated 10 October 2026 and allowed the writ petition, permitting the petitioner to conduct the Aadal Padal programme at the temple on 10 November 2026 from 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m., subject to the stated conditions and any other conditions imposed by the competent authority.

It also directed

It further stated that authorities could take action under law for violations and that the organisers or committee members would be responsible.

01Facts

The petitioner sought permission to conduct the Arulmigu West Muthallamman Temple festival at Gudalur on 10–11 November 2026, from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m., and requested police protection.

pp. 1–2

The second respondent’s order dated 10 October 2026 rejected the request only insofar as it concerned the Aadal Padal programme.

pp. 1–2

The petitioner challenged that order under Article 226 of the Constitution.

pp. 1–2

02Issues

i.1. Whether the police order refusing permission for the Aadal Padal programme should be quashed

pp. 2–4

ii.2. Whether the petitioner should be permitted to conduct the programme, and, if so, subject to what conditions

pp. 3–5

03Law Applied

The Court exercised its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution, invoked in the petition, to review the impugned police order.

p. 1

It noted two Director General of Police circulars—Rc.No.159539/Crime.4(3)/2018, signed on 31 October 2018, and Rc.007301/GenlI(1)/2019, dated 9 April 2019—which contain instructions for police consideration of applications to conduct cultural programmes.

p. 3

The Court did not cite any statute or precedent; it granted permission subject to conditions regulating the programme’s content, timing, conduct, and compliance with other required permissions.

pp. 3–5

04Reasoning

The Court noted the respondents’ submission that the refusal concerned only the Aadal Padal programme and took account of the DGP circulars governing consideration of cultural-programme applications.

pp. 2–3

It quashed the impugned order and permitted the programme within defined limits, including a 7.00 p.m.–10.00 p.m. schedule, temple- or festival-related cultural content, and restrictions against obscenity, political or communal content, alcohol, and digital banners.

pp. 3–5

The judgment does not separately explain why each condition was necessary or expressly address the requested police protection.

pp. 3–5