The Kerala High Court on Thursday (17 September) closed the plea against the police circular prohibiting police participation in temple ceremonies as the State Police Chief clarified that the circular did not prohibit the practice of any religion or interfere with the administration of temples or other religious institutions. 

The Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar closed the writ petition after recording the statement on behalf of the State Police Chief. 

"The restriction is confined only to participation in religious rituals or ceremonies while wearing the official police uniform, except where such participation forms part of an official duty," an affidavit filed before the Court stated.

The writ petition has challenged a circular issued by the State Police Chief dated 1 July 2026. The circular has directed police personnel across the State not to attend religious functions, rituals or celebrations while wearing their official uniform, except when deployed for authorised official duties. 

The petitioner has argued that the circular was arbitrary, unconstitutional and violative of Article 14, 25 and 29 of the Constitution. 

A counter affidavit was filed on behalf of the State Police Chief, in which it was stated that the directions in the circular does not prohibit the practice of any religion, interfere with the administration of any temple or other religious institution, or curtail the religious rights guaranteed to any devotee or religious denomination under the Constitution. 

It was further stated that the police personnel shall continue to discharge all statutory duties in connection with festivals and religious events including maintenance of law and order, crowd management, traffic regulation, security arrangements, escort duties and all other policing functions entrusted to them and also those functions and duties which police has been traditionally doing. 

It was further submitted that the instructions in the circular was issued in the interest of maintaining discipline, uniformity and neutrality and the professional image of the police administration. 

The court thus recorded the submissions and closed the writ petition. 

Case Title: Dr. P.S. Mahendra Kumar v State of Kerala and Ors. 
Case No: WP(C) 24250/ 2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 517

Counsel for Petitioner: K.R. Rajkumar, Jagadeesh Lakshman, R.K.. Rakesh

Counsel for Respondent: K.R. Sunil (Spl. GP), G. Biju (SC - TDB), K.P. Sudheer (SC - CDB)

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