A.Santhanam vs The Superintendent Of Police & Ors.

This petition has been filed for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to issue specific time schedule to the petitioner organisation for conduction Vinayagar Procession on 16.09.2026 from Sri Vala Sakthi Vinayagar Thirukovil Chinnamanur Theni District to Markaiyankottai at 06.00 p.m., for immersion in the nearby River, with sufficient police protection, at the earliest based on his representation dated 01.09.2026.

Mr.D.Rajaboopathy, learned Government Advocate, (Crl. Side) takes notice for the respondents 1 to 3 and Mr.A.Sivasubramanian, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents 4 & 5. Heard the counsel on either side and perused the records.

Since the respondents have not passed any order, the petitioner has come forward with the present petition. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that a suitable direction may be issued to the respondents to dispose of the representation dated 01.09.2026.

The learned Additional Government Pleader submitted that, as per G.O.Ms. No. 598, dated 19.08.2018, for Vinayagar Chathurthi, erection of Vinayagar idols at a particular place and the subsequent immersion procession there is a procedure to be followed, which is prescribed under the Standard Operating Procedure. As per the said Government Order, an interested person has to make an application in Form No. 1 to the Revenue Divisional Officer/Sub-Collector in rural areas and to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in city areas, well in advance, by giving one week's time, so that the authority concerned may consider the request of the person and issue orders in Form No.

As per Form No. 1, the person who is interested in conducting the Vinayagar idol erection, procession, immersion, etc., has to attach certain documents, including NOCs from various departments. In the present case, no such exercise has been undertaken so far. If the petitioner comes up with an application in Form No. 1 by enclosing all the required documents, the 4^th respondent will consider the same. If the petitioner comes up with the Form No. 1 application at the earliest, it will be considered by the 4^th respondent and, on considering the same, if it is found suitable to pass orders, the 4^th respondent will pass orders as expeditiously as possible.

Recording the above submission, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to file Form No. 1 as per the aforesaid Government Order at the earliest, enclosing all the NOCs and required documents. Once the same is submitted to the 4^th respondent, the 4^th respondent is directed to take a decision at the earliest, preferably on or before 15.09.2026, since the petitioner himself has fixed the date of immersion as 16.09.2026.

With the above direction, the petition is disposed of.