Facts
The petitioner challenged the second respondent’s order dated 6 October 2026 rejecting permission to conduct a Kabaddi tournament at Amman Kovil Thidal, Pitchanarthoppu, Srivaikuntam, from 16 to 18 October 2026, and sought permission and police protection
Source reference: p. 1; p. 2, para. 1The State opposed the petition on the ground that the tournament might give rise to a law-and-order problem
Source reference: p. 2, para. 2Issues
Whether the petitioner should be permitted to conduct the proposed Kabaddi tournament despite the police’s stated apprehension of a law-and-order problem
Source reference: p. 2, paras. 1–2Whether the respondents should provide police protection for the tournament, subject to conditions and payment of the prescribed charges
Source reference: pp. 3–4, para. 4Law Applied
The order cites no statute or judicial precedent.
Source reference: no citationIt directs compliance with the Standard Operating Procedure adopted by the Government of Tamil Nadu and refers to G.O. (Ms.) No. 139, Home (Pol-VIII) Department, dated 4 March 2019, as the basis for providing police protection on payment of necessary charges
Source reference: p. 4, para. 4, conditions xiv–xvThe Court’s directions make permission and protection subject to conditions intended to preserve public order and tranquillity, including restrictions on inflammatory slogans, displays and songs, and authority for police to stop the event if conditions are breached or the permitted hours are exceeded
Source reference: pp. 3–4, para. 4, conditions i–xiiiReasoning
The Court recorded the State’s apprehension of a possible law-and-order problem but, after hearing the parties and reviewing the materials, directed that permission be granted subject to safeguards
Source reference: p. 2, paras. 2–3; p. 3, para. 4Those conditions addressed the identified concern by prohibiting provocative or communal displays and conduct, requiring first-aid arrangements and an authorised referee, and authorising police intervention for breaches or events exceeding the permitted hours
Source reference: pp. 3–4, para. 4The order does not provide further reasoning on the evidentiary basis for the apprehension or the rejection of permission.
Source reference: no citationHolding
The Court disposed of the writ petition and directed the third respondent to permit the tournament at the specified venue from 16 to 18 October 2026, between 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. each day, subject to the stated conditions
The petitioner was directed to ensure compliance and prevent law-and-order problems; the respondents were directed to provide necessary police protection upon payment of the prescribed charges
Source reference: p. 4, para. 4, condition xv; p. 5, para. 5Original Court PDF
G.KarthikvsThe Superintendent of Police,
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