High Court · 2024

WP.No.18270 of 2024IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDATED: 29.07.2024CORAM: THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTHWP.No.18270 of 2024 andWMP.No.20053 of 2024Prem Kumar… Petitioner Vs.1.The District Collector, Salem District, Salem.2.The Superintendent of Police, Salem District, Salem.3.The Superintending Archaeologist, Government of India, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai.4.The Inspector of Police, Sangagiri, Salem District.… RespondentsPrayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records in pursuant to the impugned suspension order passed by the 3rd respondent in his proceedings in F.No.4/2 SLM/2012/M/1189 dated 02.05.2024 quash the same and consequently directing the 3rd respondent to allow the petitioner to worship and praise the statue of great Indian freedom fighter Mr.Kunalan Nadar and Karuppan Servai on their memorial day which is going to be celebrated on 31.07.2024 by considering the Representation given to the Respondents dated 29.04.2024.1 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024For Petitioner: Mr.M.DineshFor Respondents:Mr.Vadivelu Deenadayalan (for R1)Additional Government PleaderMr.S.Vinoth Kumar (R2 & R4)Government Advocate (Crl. Side)Mr.Rajesh Vivekanandan (for R3)Deputy Solicitor GeneralO R D E RThe petitioner has challenged an order passed by the Superintending Archaeologist/R3 and sought a consequential direction to R3 to allow the petitioner to worship the statue of Indian freedom fighters Mr.Kunalan Nadar and Mr.Karuppan Servai on their memorial day proposed to be celebrated on 31.07.2024. A representation was made by the petitioner on 29.04.2024 to such effect.2.The petitioner draws a comparison between the celebrations that are proposed, with those that have been permitted in the case of Mr.Deeran Chinnamalai and others, also famous freedom fighters, referring to G.O.Ms.No.40 dated 26.02.2021 declaring the birthday of Mr.Deeran Chinnamalai as a Government festival. The petitioner hence seeks parity in treatment of all freedom fighters.3.On 23.07.2024, the following order was passed and the matter was directed to be listed today.'A written instruction is circulated by Mr.Rajesh Vivekanandan, that reads as follows:-“i. Hill Fort and Temples, Sankagiri, Chinnakavandanur, Dist.Salem is a centrally protected 2 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024monument under the jurisdiction of the ASI, Chennai Circle, Chennai vide Notification No.76 dt : 28.02.1921ii. The petitioner has submitted a representation dt: 29.04.2024 requested for permission to worship Kunalan Nadar and Karuppan Servai at the entrance of Sankagiri Fort on their memorial day i.e., on 31st July 2024. Wherein the request was rejected by the 3rd respondent as per the AMASR Act of 1958 and rule of 1959 to maintain the statusquo.iii. Further, it is submitted that the same proposal was rejected in the year 2023 by the 3rd Respondent.iv. However, the permission is accorded every year 3rd August to celebrate the memorial day of Theeran Chinna Malai, a freedom fighter at Sankagiri Fort, Dist.Salem on the basis of the request received from the District authorities.”2. Hence ASI per se do not appear to have any issue if the District Administration has no objection at their end. 3. The buck has now been passed by ASI to R1,R2 & R4. Hence, Mr.Vadivelu Deenadayalan, learned AGP, seeks a few days time to obtain written instructions from the official respondents. 4. Since the function is proposed to be held on 31.07.2024, list this matter on 26.07.2024 in the same position. Written instructions by then.'4.Today, written instructions are filed and learned Additional Government Pleader for R1 circulates an order passed by the Tahsildar, Sangagiri, who is not a party to the writ petition, conveying the decision of the District Administration taken in consensus, reiterating the denial of the request of the petitioner. It would be best to extract that order itself as the apprehension of the respondents have been set out therein unambiguously. The communication reads as follows:'mDg;g[jy;:bgWjy;:jpUkjp/kh/thRfp. vk;/.V/.TLjy; muRtHf;fwp"h;.tl;lhl;rpah;.brd;id cah;ePjpkd;wk;.r';ffphp/brd;id/3 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024e/f/vz;/2630-2024-oehs; : /07/2024 ma;ah.bghUs;:tHf;F ? nryk; khtl;lk; ? nryk; nkw;Ftl;lk; fjt[ vz;/76-100 fhkuh$h; bjU. giHa Nuk';fyk; ehlhh; nguitapd; khtl;l jiyth; jpU/gpnuk;Fkhh; vd;gth; khz;gik brd;id cah;ePjp kd;wj;jpy; W.P.No.18270/2024d; go tHf;F bjhlh;e;jJ ? mwpf;if rkh;g;gpj;jy; ? bjhlh;ghfghh;it:brd;id cah;ePjpkd;w TLjy; muRtHf;fwp"hpd; fojehs;: 23/07/2024nryk; khtl;lk;. nryk; nkw;F tl;lk; fjt[ vz;/76-100 fhkuh$h; bjU. giHa Nuk';fyk; ehlhh; nguitapd; khtl;l jiyth; jpU/gpnuk;Fkhh; vd;gth; khz;gik brd;id cah;ePjpkd;wj;jpy; W.P.No.18270/2024d; go tHf;F bjhlh;e;jJ bjhlh;ghf vdjwpf;ifapid fPH;f;fz;lthW rkh;g;gpj;Jf; bfhs;fpnwd;/nryk; khtl;lk; r';ffphp tl;lk;. r';ffphp kiyaothuj;jpy; ,e;jpa jpUehl;od; Rje;jpu nghuhl;l tPuh; jPud; rpd;dkiy mth;fSf;F fle;j Rkhh; 20 Mz;LfSf;F Kd;gpUe;J Mz;L njhUk; jkpH; khjk; Mo 18?k; ehspy; jPud; rpd;dkiy mth;fspd; g[ifg;glk; itj;J m";ryp brYj;jp te;jhh;fs;/ mjd; gpwF fle;j 15 Mz;LfSf;F Kd;gpUe;J jkpHf murpd; mDkjp bgw;W jPud; rpd;dkiy mth;fspd; g[ifg;glj;jpw;F kyh; khiy mzptpj;J m";ryp brYj;jp khpahij bra;thh;fs;/ mjd; gpd;dh; khz;g[kpF jkpHf mikr;rh; bgUkf;fs;. gy;ntW murpay; fl;rp jiyth;fs; kw;Wk; gy;ntW mikg;g[fis nrh;e;j egh;fs; vd Rkhh; 20.000 jpw;F nkw;gl;nlhh; fye;J bfhz;L khiy mzptpj;J khpahij bra;thh;fs;/ ,t;tpHhtpw;F fhty; Jiwapdh; rhpahd Kiwapy; ghJfhg;g[ Vw;ghLfs; bra;J ghJfhg;g[ gzp nkw;bfhz;L tUthh;fs;/,e;epfH;tpid fhuzk; fhl;o jpU gpnuk;Fkhh; j-bg Tj;jd; nryk; khtl;l ehlhh; nguit jiyth; mth;fs; ,e;jpa jpUehl;il M';fpnyah;fs; moikg;gLj;jp jd; trk; itj;J Ml;rp elj;jp te;jjhft[k; ,e;jpa kf;fspd; moikj;jdj;ij tpyf;fp jha; jpUehl;od; tpLjiyf;fhf bfh';F ehl;oypUe;J jdJ guhf;fpuk gyj;ij bfhz;L M';fpnyah;fis vjph;j;J nghhpl;lth; Fzhsd; ehlhh; vd;Wk; M';fpnyah;fis vjph;j;J fl;Ljo Kiwapy; nghhpl;ljhy; fl;Lj;jof;fhud; vd;W miHg;ghh;fs;/ nkYk; 1802?k; Mz;L fh;dy; cwhhP!; jiyikapy; nfhHpf;nfhl;oy; ,Ue;J te;j M';fpnyah;fspd; gPu';fp gila[ld; nghhpl;lhh; vd;Wk; 1805?k; Mz;L M';fpnyah;fspd; NH;r;rpahy; jkpH; khjk; Mo khjk; 18?k; ehs; r';ffphp kiyf;nfhl;ilapy; J}f;fpyplg;gl;lhh; vd;Wk; mjd; gpd;dh; fUg;g nrh;it. brd;dpag;gd; cs;spl;l 10 egh;fs; xnu ehspy; 4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024J}f;fpylg;gl;lhh;fs; vd;Wk; kDjhuh; bjhptpj;Js;shh;/ nkYk; fl;Lj;jof;fhuh; vd;w Fzhs ehlhh; mth;fspd; epidthf tUfpd;w 31/07/2024?k; njjp md;W nryk; khtl;lk; r';ffphp tl;lk; kiyf;nfhl;il thrypy; Fzhs ehlhh; mth;fspd; cUtg;glk; itj;J khpahij brYj;jtpUg;gjhft[k; kDjhuh; bjhptpj;Js;shh;/nkw;go epfH;tpw;F rKjhak; kw;Wk; bghJkf;fs; fye;J bfhs;tjhft[k; ,e;epfH;tpw;F mDkjpa[k; ghJfhg;g[k; tH';f ntz;Lk; vd kD mDg;ggl;ljpd; nghpy; nkw;go kDit ghprPyidf;F vLj;J bfhz;L tprhuiz bra;ag;gl;ljpYk;. kw;Wk; khtl;l eph;thf mjpfhhpfsplk; Mnyhrid bra;ag;gl;ljpYk; nkw;go kDtpy; Fwpg;gplg;gl;Ls;s Fzhsd; vd;gth; ehlhh; rKjhaj;ij rhh;e;jth; vd;Wk; nkYk; ehlhh; rK:fj;ij rhh;e;jth;fs; khpahij brYj;Jk; tpjkhf tpHh elj;Jtjw;F Vw;ghLfs; bra;Js;shh;fs; vd;Wk; tprhuizapy; bjhpatUfpwJ/nkYk; ,J nghd;W midj;J rKjha kf;fSk; jk;Kila rhjpapdh; ,e;jpa jpUehl;od; Rje;jpu nghuhl;lj;jpy; <Lgl;L tPukuzk; mile;Js;shh;fs; vd Twp mDkjp bgw;W epfH;r;rp elj;Jk; gl;rj;jpy; mjpy; jfuhW Vw;glt[k; rK:f ey;ypzf;fk; rPh;bflt[k;. rhjp g{ry;fs; Vw;glt[k; tha;g;g[s;sJ/ vdnt kDjhuh; jpU gpnuk;Fkhh; j-bg Tj;jd; vd;gth; mspj;j kDtpw;F khz;gik ePjpkd;wk; mDkjp tH';f TlhJ vd;gijgzpt[ld; bjhptpj;Jf;bfhs;pfnwd;/tl;lhl;rpah; r';ffphp/'5.In light of the aforesaid and since the decision taken by the respondents is one of policy, based on a proper enquiry and analysis of the situation, this Court is reluctant to intervene.6.With this, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Connected miscellaneous petition is closed.29.07.2024vsIndex:Yes/NoSpeaking orderNeutral citation : Yes5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024DR.ANITA SUMANTH,J.vsTo1.The District Collector, Salem District, Salem.2.The Superintendent of Police, Salem District, Salem.3.The Superintending Archaeologist, Government of India, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai.4.The Inspector of Police, Sangagiri, Salem District.WP.No.18270 of 2024 andWMP.No.20053 of 202429.07.20246

WP.No.18270 of 2024IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDATED: 29.07.2024CORAM: THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTHWP.No.18270 of 2024 andWMP.No.20053 of 2024Prem Kumar… Petitioner Vs.1.The District Collector, Salem District, Salem.2.The Superintendent of Police, Salem District, Salem.3.The Superintending Archaeologist, Government of India, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai.4.The Inspector of Police, Sangagiri, Salem District.… RespondentsPrayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records in pursuant to the impugned suspension order passed by the 3rd respondent in his proceedings in F.No.4/2 SLM/2012/M/1189 dated 02.05.2024 quash the same and consequently directing the 3rd respondent to allow the petitioner to worship and praise the statue of great Indian freedom fighter Mr.Kunalan Nadar and Karuppan Servai on their memorial day which is going to be celebrated on 31.07.2024 by considering the Representation given to the Respondents dated 29.04.2024.1 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024For Petitioner: Mr.M.DineshFor Respondents:Mr.Vadivelu Deenadayalan (for R1)Additional Government PleaderMr.S.Vinoth Kumar (R2 & R4)Government Advocate (Crl. Side)Mr.Rajesh Vivekanandan (for R3)Deputy Solicitor GeneralO R D E RThe petitioner has challenged an order passed by the Superintending Archaeologist/R3 and sought a consequential direction to R3 to allow the petitioner to worship the statue of Indian freedom fighters Mr.Kunalan Nadar and Mr.Karuppan Servai on their memorial day proposed to be celebrated on 31.07.2024. A representation was made by the petitioner on 29.04.2024 to such effect.2.The petitioner draws a comparison between the celebrations that are proposed, with those that have been permitted in the case of Mr.Deeran Chinnamalai and others, also famous freedom fighters, referring to G.O.Ms.No.40 dated 26.02.2021 declaring the birthday of Mr.Deeran Chinnamalai as a Government festival. The petitioner hence seeks parity in treatment of all freedom fighters.3.On 23.07.2024, the following order was passed and the matter was directed to be listed today.'A written instruction is circulated by Mr.Rajesh Vivekanandan, that reads as follows:-“i. Hill Fort and Temples, Sankagiri, Chinnakavandanur, Dist.Salem is a centrally protected 2 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024monument under the jurisdiction of the ASI, Chennai Circle, Chennai vide Notification No.76 dt : 28.02.1921ii. The petitioner has submitted a representation dt: 29.04.2024 requested for permission to worship Kunalan Nadar and Karuppan Servai at the entrance of Sankagiri Fort on their memorial day i.e., on 31st July 2024. Wherein the request was rejected by the 3rd respondent as per the AMASR Act of 1958 and rule of 1959 to maintain the statusquo.iii. Further, it is submitted that the same proposal was rejected in the year 2023 by the 3rd Respondent.iv. However, the permission is accorded every year 3rd August to celebrate the memorial day of Theeran Chinna Malai, a freedom fighter at Sankagiri Fort, Dist.Salem on the basis of the request received from the District authorities.”2. Hence ASI per se do not appear to have any issue if the District Administration has no objection at their end. 3. The buck has now been passed by ASI to R1,R2 & R4. Hence, Mr.Vadivelu Deenadayalan, learned AGP, seeks a few days time to obtain written instructions from the official respondents. 4. Since the function is proposed to be held on 31.07.2024, list this matter on 26.07.2024 in the same position. Written instructions by then.'4.Today, written instructions are filed and learned Additional Government Pleader for R1 circulates an order passed by the Tahsildar, Sangagiri, who is not a party to the writ petition, conveying the decision of the District Administration taken in consensus, reiterating the denial of the request of the petitioner. It would be best to extract that order itself as the apprehension of the respondents have been set out therein unambiguously. The communication reads as follows:'mDg;g[jy;:bgWjy;:jpUkjp/kh/thRfp. vk;/.V/.TLjy; muRtHf;fwp"h;.tl;lhl;rpah;.brd;id cah;ePjpkd;wk;.r';ffphp/brd;id/3 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024e/f/vz;/2630-2024-oehs; : /07/2024 ma;ah.bghUs;:tHf;F ? nryk; khtl;lk; ? nryk; nkw;Ftl;lk; fjt[ vz;/76-100 fhkuh$h; bjU. giHa Nuk';fyk; ehlhh; nguitapd; khtl;l jiyth; jpU/gpnuk;Fkhh; vd;gth; khz;gik brd;id cah;ePjp kd;wj;jpy; W.P.No.18270/2024d; go tHf;F bjhlh;e;jJ ? mwpf;if rkh;g;gpj;jy; ? bjhlh;ghfghh;it:brd;id cah;ePjpkd;w TLjy; muRtHf;fwp"hpd; fojehs;: 23/07/2024nryk; khtl;lk;. nryk; nkw;F tl;lk; fjt[ vz;/76-100 fhkuh$h; bjU. giHa Nuk';fyk; ehlhh; nguitapd; khtl;l jiyth; jpU/gpnuk;Fkhh; vd;gth; khz;gik brd;id cah;ePjpkd;wj;jpy; W.P.No.18270/2024d; go tHf;F bjhlh;e;jJ bjhlh;ghf vdjwpf;ifapid fPH;f;fz;lthW rkh;g;gpj;Jf; bfhs;fpnwd;/nryk; khtl;lk; r';ffphp tl;lk;. r';ffphp kiyaothuj;jpy; ,e;jpa jpUehl;od; Rje;jpu nghuhl;l tPuh; jPud; rpd;dkiy mth;fSf;F fle;j Rkhh; 20 Mz;LfSf;F Kd;gpUe;J Mz;L njhUk; jkpH; khjk; Mo 18?k; ehspy; jPud; rpd;dkiy mth;fspd; g[ifg;glk; itj;J m";ryp brYj;jp te;jhh;fs;/ mjd; gpwF fle;j 15 Mz;LfSf;F Kd;gpUe;J jkpHf murpd; mDkjp bgw;W jPud; rpd;dkiy mth;fspd; g[ifg;glj;jpw;F kyh; khiy mzptpj;J m";ryp brYj;jp khpahij bra;thh;fs;/ mjd; gpd;dh; khz;g[kpF jkpHf mikr;rh; bgUkf;fs;. gy;ntW murpay; fl;rp jiyth;fs; kw;Wk; gy;ntW mikg;g[fis nrh;e;j egh;fs; vd Rkhh; 20.000 jpw;F nkw;gl;nlhh; fye;J bfhz;L khiy mzptpj;J khpahij bra;thh;fs;/ ,t;tpHhtpw;F fhty; Jiwapdh; rhpahd Kiwapy; ghJfhg;g[ Vw;ghLfs; bra;J ghJfhg;g[ gzp nkw;bfhz;L tUthh;fs;/,e;epfH;tpid fhuzk; fhl;o jpU gpnuk;Fkhh; j-bg Tj;jd; nryk; khtl;l ehlhh; nguit jiyth; mth;fs; ,e;jpa jpUehl;il M';fpnyah;fs; moikg;gLj;jp jd; trk; itj;J Ml;rp elj;jp te;jjhft[k; ,e;jpa kf;fspd; moikj;jdj;ij tpyf;fp jha; jpUehl;od; tpLjiyf;fhf bfh';F ehl;oypUe;J jdJ guhf;fpuk gyj;ij bfhz;L M';fpnyah;fis vjph;j;J nghhpl;lth; Fzhsd; ehlhh; vd;Wk; M';fpnyah;fis vjph;j;J fl;Ljo Kiwapy; nghhpl;ljhy; fl;Lj;jof;fhud; vd;W miHg;ghh;fs;/ nkYk; 1802?k; Mz;L fh;dy; cwhhP!; jiyikapy; nfhHpf;nfhl;oy; ,Ue;J te;j M';fpnyah;fspd; gPu';fp gila[ld; nghhpl;lhh; vd;Wk; 1805?k; Mz;L M';fpnyah;fspd; NH;r;rpahy; jkpH; khjk; Mo khjk; 18?k; ehs; r';ffphp kiyf;nfhl;ilapy; J}f;fpyplg;gl;lhh; vd;Wk; mjd; gpd;dh; fUg;g nrh;it. brd;dpag;gd; cs;spl;l 10 egh;fs; xnu ehspy; 4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024J}f;fpylg;gl;lhh;fs; vd;Wk; kDjhuh; bjhptpj;Js;shh;/ nkYk; fl;Lj;jof;fhuh; vd;w Fzhs ehlhh; mth;fspd; epidthf tUfpd;w 31/07/2024?k; njjp md;W nryk; khtl;lk; r';ffphp tl;lk; kiyf;nfhl;il thrypy; Fzhs ehlhh; mth;fspd; cUtg;glk; itj;J khpahij brYj;jtpUg;gjhft[k; kDjhuh; bjhptpj;Js;shh;/nkw;go epfH;tpw;F rKjhak; kw;Wk; bghJkf;fs; fye;J bfhs;tjhft[k; ,e;epfH;tpw;F mDkjpa[k; ghJfhg;g[k; tH';f ntz;Lk; vd kD mDg;ggl;ljpd; nghpy; nkw;go kDit ghprPyidf;F vLj;J bfhz;L tprhuiz bra;ag;gl;ljpYk;. kw;Wk; khtl;l eph;thf mjpfhhpfsplk; Mnyhrid bra;ag;gl;ljpYk; nkw;go kDtpy; Fwpg;gplg;gl;Ls;s Fzhsd; vd;gth; ehlhh; rKjhaj;ij rhh;e;jth; vd;Wk; nkYk; ehlhh; rK:fj;ij rhh;e;jth;fs; khpahij brYj;Jk; tpjkhf tpHh elj;Jtjw;F Vw;ghLfs; bra;Js;shh;fs; vd;Wk; tprhuizapy; bjhpatUfpwJ/nkYk; ,J nghd;W midj;J rKjha kf;fSk; jk;Kila rhjpapdh; ,e;jpa jpUehl;od; Rje;jpu nghuhl;lj;jpy; <Lgl;L tPukuzk; mile;Js;shh;fs; vd Twp mDkjp bgw;W epfH;r;rp elj;Jk; gl;rj;jpy; mjpy; jfuhW Vw;glt[k; rK:f ey;ypzf;fk; rPh;bflt[k;. rhjp g{ry;fs; Vw;glt[k; tha;g;g[s;sJ/ vdnt kDjhuh; jpU gpnuk;Fkhh; j-bg Tj;jd; vd;gth; mspj;j kDtpw;F khz;gik ePjpkd;wk; mDkjp tH';f TlhJ vd;gijgzpt[ld; bjhptpj;Jf;bfhs;pfnwd;/tl;lhl;rpah; r';ffphp/'5.In light of the aforesaid and since the decision taken by the respondents is one of policy, based on a proper enquiry and analysis of the situation, this Court is reluctant to intervene.6.With this, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Connected miscellaneous petition is closed.29.07.2024vsIndex:Yes/NoSpeaking orderNeutral citation : Yes5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP.No.18270 of 2024DR.ANITA SUMANTH,J.vsTo1.The District Collector, Salem District, Salem.2.The Superintendent of Police, Salem District, Salem.3.The Superintending Archaeologist, Government of India, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai.4.The Inspector of Police, Sangagiri, Salem District.WP.No.18270 of 2024 andWMP.No.20053 of 202429.07.20246