DSP apologises in Madurai bench of the Madras HC for refusing to allow temple fest

Madurai: The Sankarankovil DSP on Monday tendered an unconditional apology before the Madurai bench of the Madras High court for refusing to allow the villagers to conduct ‘Patti Mandaram’ rituals as part of the ongoing ‘Veethi Ula’ festival of Arulmigu Sankaranarayana Swamy temple in the town after 10 pm.

The deity of the temple would be taken on procession for the ‘Patti Mandaram’ as part of the 15-day festival (between July 27 and August 7) up to 1 pm every night at Sankarankovil town. The court during the previous hearing directed the police to consider the representation of the petitioner Subramanian from the town to grant permission to hold the ‘Patti Mandaram’ with aid of sound service. The villagers demanded only for permission and not for police protection.

However, the DSP Rajendran had demanded the villagers to deposit '25,000 and further allegedly threatened the villagers that he had powers to enhance the amount up to ' two lakh. The DSP also allowed them to conduct ‘Patti Mandaram’ ritual only up to 10 pm, claimed Subramanian who filed a contempt petition against the SP for not following court order.

When the case came up for hearing before the Division bench comprising Justices K. Sasidharan and G.R. Swaminathan today, the judges directed the DSP to appear before them in the afternoon.

When the police official appeared in court, the judges questioned him for imposing time restrictions for conducting a traditional festival in that town. After the DSP tendered an unconditional apology, the court directed him to submit it in writing and posted the hearing to Tuesday.