SAMYUKTHA THAIPOOYAGOSHA COMMITTEE Vs. STATION HOUSE OFFICER, MEDICAL COLLEGE POLICE STATION, MEDICAL COLLEGE, THRISSUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner claims to be the Joint Convener of Thaipooyakhosha Committee comprising of three Devaswoms, namely Avanoor, Edakulam and Thanganoor. The festival lasts for seven days. The celebrations commenced from time immemorial and are usually conducted with the joint effort of the three Devaswoms referred to above. Respondent Nos. 4 to 18, owing to some political vendetta, are making concerted attempts to cause obstruction to the celebration and hold out threat to prevent the conduct of Prasadaoottu on 27.1.2018. The Police were intimated and they intervened. While the party respondents were being dispersed, they have reiterated the threat to cause obstacles. It is admitted that the party respondents were earlier members of the committee, but were expelled for valid reasons. That is the reason for their vendetta. Ext. P-1 series complaints were filed before respondent Nos. 1 to 3. The petitioner apprehends that the party respondents may accomplish their desire to cause obstruction to the temple festival. There is also apprehension of threat to life, and hence there was no other option but to approach this Court and request exercise of the extraordinary jurisdiction to issue a writ of mandamus for adequate and sufficient police protection for the smooth conduct of the festival and to protect the life of the petitioner.

(2.) We have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Senior Government Pleader for respondent Nos. 1 to 3.

(3.) The petitioner claims to be the Convener of the Committee allegedly constituted for the conduct of the festival. Party respondents were admittedly, at one point of time, members of the Committee, who are stated to have been expelled. Hence, there is a dispute regarding the right to conduct the festival. The said dispute is apparently civil in nature and requires to be determined by a Civil Court of competent jurisdiction. We do not find it appropriate to invoke the extraordinary jurisdiction of this Court to interfere in the dispute regarding the conduct of the festival or the administration of the temple. However, in case there is any law and order issue and a complaint received regarding a cognizable offence by respondent Nos. 1 and 2, they shall take appropriate action in accordance with law, even without there being any specific positive direction from this Court.