S THANGALINGAM Vs. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE RAMANATHAPURAM DISTRICT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner claims himself to be the Taluk Secretary of Hindu Munnani at Sayalkudi. The petitioner issued a singed notice to the Inspector of Police, Sayalkudi Police Station/third respondent herein by stating that on behalf of Hindu Munnani, there will be a consecration (Prethishati) of Vinayaka Idols on 15. 9. 2007 and the idols which are consecrated at individual places will be taken out on a procession on 19. 9. 2007 from Bus Stand via main streets of the Town and finally, it will reach the beach at Naripaiyur and they will be immersed in the sea (Visarjanam ). It was also notified that in 7 streets at Sayalkudi, and Kurangakottai, Pillaiyar Kulam, totally there will be 9 idols will be installed. However, it was given in a note appended to the letter dated 3. 9. 2007 that from 15. 9. 2007 till 18. 9. 2007, every evening at 6. 00 p. m. , spiritual/religious discourse will take palce. The said letter had been marked to R1 and R2.

(2.) THE annexure of the said letter had notified the places where idols will be installed and also route in which they will be taken on a procession. It is also stated that procession will be headed by the State Treasurer of Hindu Munnani. On receipt of the same, the 2nd respondent passed an order dated 4. 9. 2007 in Na. Ka. No. 58/camp/keevuko/2007 stating that the places where the idols are to be installed and the procession route selected by them will result in law and order problem and therefore, granting protection from 15. 9. 2007 to 19. 9. 2007 for a period of five days without any law and order problem will be difficult. Therefore, permission to install the idols and procession was refused by him. It is this order, which is under challenge in the Writ Petition.

(3.) THE petitioner seeks to quash the said order and also to forbear the respondents from interfering with the conduct of Vinayaka Chathurthi festival celebration and procession mentioned in the petitioner's letter dated 3. 9. 2007.