The Madras High Court has issued a stern warning to several top officials in Madurai, stating that contempt charges will be formally framed against them if they fail to provide a satisfactory explanation for not obeying a judicial order related to the lighting of the traditional Karthigai deepam at Thiruparankundram hill.
Court's Ultimatum to Contemnors
Justice G R Swaminathan, presiding over the case on Friday, observed that the contemnors had sufficient opportunity but failed to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated. The court has set a deadline of February 2 for the officials to present their case, failing which charges will be framed. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for February 6.
The case stems from the non-compliance of an earlier court order directing the lighting of the Karthigai deepam at the deepathoon (lamp tower) atop the Thiruparankundram hill. The officials named in the contempt petitions are:
- Madurai Collector K J Praveen Kumar
- City Commissioner of Police J Loganathan
- Executive Officer of Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Yagna Narayanan
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) A G Inigo Divyan
During the hearing, the Collector and the DCP informed the court that they acted on their own and not under any external dictation.
History of Non-Compliance and Obstruction
Justice Swaminathan detailed the sequence of events that led to the contempt proceedings. He noted that on December 1, 2025, the court had allowed a batch of petitions for lighting the deepam. However, temple authorities did not obey this order.
"To frustrate the judicial order, Collector Praveen Kumar passed a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023," the judge stated. Even after this prohibitory order was quashed by the court, DCP Inigo Divyan was accused of obstructing the implementation of the court's directive.
The state government's counsel informed the court that Letters Patent Appeals had been filed against the contempt proceedings, which are pending before a division bench. Citing this, they sought more time. The primary court order was upheld by the division bench on January 6.
Dispute Over Deepathoon Area and Trespass Allegation
The division bench had declared that the deepathoon area, located on the lower peak of the hill, belongs to the Thiruparankundram temple. A related issue emerged during the hearing concerning the Sandhanakoodu festival.
The court was informed that dargah authorities had tied the flag of the Pallivasal to a tree within the deepathoon area. Temple Executive Officer Yagna Narayanan stated that no permission was taken from the temple authorities for this act.
Justice Swaminathan noted that the executive officer conceded this act amounted to "rank criminal trespass." Narayanan undertook to lodge an immediate complaint with the jurisdictional police and complete all formalities to launch a proper criminal prosecution against the dargah officials for unauthorized trespass on temple property.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions and legal complexities surrounding religious sites and the implementation of court orders by district administration and police officials.
