KUMARTHUPADY SHRI BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is stated to be a Temple and they say that their annual festival for the year 2024 is being held from 7/2/2024 to 13/2/2024; out of which, the last two days constitute the peak of such festival.

(2.) The petitioner say that, as part of such, several cultural and programs have been designed and scheduled, for which, it would take them at least time till 12 P.M. to complete; but that this has now been frustrated because, the 2nd respondent ' Deputy Superintendent of Police has informed them not to use Public Address System after 10 P.M. They say that, as far as all the other days of the festival are concerned, they have abided by the afore restriction, and that the sole exemption which they have sought - which they assert is permissible under the statutory Scheme - is for permission to use the Public Address System for another two hours on two specific dates, namely 12/2/2024 and 13/2/2024. They thus pray that the 2nd respondent be directed not to obstruct the festival scheduled in Ext.P1.

(3.) Smt.Anjali Menon ' learned counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the petitioner's Temple is a very old one, with no complaints ever having been made against them from any person of the locality, on account of cultural programs being held. She added that the restriction even for the two days in question for the Public Address System to be used within the Temple premises till 12 P.M., is illegal and unlawful. She thus reiteratingly prayed that the reliefs sought for in this writ petition be granted.