Police must protect temple fencing, but fencing cannot be used to dispossess anyone.

The petitioner, a worshipper at Shri Arulmigu Ennaiyaalum Kanna Perumal Kovil, sought police protection to fence temple land in Survey No. 62/3, alleging that nearby residents were consuming liquor, littering, and engaging in activities causing inconvenience to worshippers

The petitioner stated that the temple’s Executive Officer had sought police protection and that the petitioner had also submitted representations on 8 and 22 June 2026 without receiving action

In response to the Court’s notice, the respondents submitted that the Executive Officer had initiated steps, and the police stated that they would provide protection for fencing the temple property

1. Whether police protection should be directed for fencing the temple property at the petitioner’s request, when the Executive Officer had independently sought such protection

2. Whether fencing could proceed without dispossessing any person from the property under its guise

The Court considered its jurisdiction under Article 226, invoked by the petitioner’s prayer for a writ of mandamus, and the respondents’ undertaking that police protection would be provided for fencing the temple property.

The Court’s direction was limited to facilitating the fencing activity and expressly prohibited dispossession of any person under its guise

The Court found no need to grant protection at the petitioner’s instance because the Executive Officer, who managed the temple, had himself requested it and the police had agreed to provide appropriate protection

The Court confined the protection to fencing the temple property, required completion by 20 November 2026, and safeguarded against any person being dispossessed under the guise of that work.

The respondent-police were directed to provide appropriate protection to the Executive Officer for fencing the temple property, to be completed by 20 November 2026, and to submit a report to the Court.

The Court clarified that no person could be dispossessed under the guise of fencing and listed the matter for reporting compliance on 23 November 2026