Madras High Court Rejects State’s Appeal Against Order Allowing Devotees to Light Deepam at Thirupparankundram

The Madras High Court upheld a single-judge order permitting devotees to light the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Deepathoon on Thirupparankundram, a site earlier confirmed to lie on temple land.

The appeal arose after the District Collector and Police Commissioner challenged a follow-up order allowing devotees themselves to light the lamp with CISF protection, issued when the first order was not implemented.

The Division Bench dismissed the appeal, noting deliberate non-compliance by State officials and holding that central force assistance is lawful where State machinery fails.

It also observed that the appeal appeared aimed at avoiding contempt.

[KJ Praveenkumar, IAS & Anr. v. Rama Ravikumar & Anr.]