Thiruparankundram Deepam Issue: Madras High Court To Hear Appeals Against Lighting Of Lamp On December 12

The Madras High Court has adjourned the appeal preferred against a single bench decision permitting lighting of lamp (Karthigai deepam) at the Deepathoon (stone lamp pillar) atop the Thiruparakundram hills, which is located close to a dargah.

The division bench of Justice G Jayachandran and Justice KK Ramakrishnan said it will take up the matter next Friday (December 12), after all the parties already involved in the case have filed their appeals.

The present appeal has been preferred by the Madurai's District Collector, city Police Commissioner and Executive Officer of the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple.

The Court was however told that State's HR&CE (Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments) Department as well as the Dargah will also be moving appeals. Following which the Court said it intends to take up all appeals together.

"I'll hear everyone together...all the parties already involved in the case will be allowed to file pleas...No one will be allowed to implead," the Court said.

On December 1st, a single judge had permitted the lighting of lamps (Karthigai deepam) at the Deepathoon (stone lamp pillar) atop the Thiruparakundram hills on December 3rd. The judge primarily observed that the deepathoon was not located in the area that belonged to the Muslims and thus lighting the lamp would not affect the rights of the community. At the same time, the court added that not allowing the lighting of lamps would affect the rights of the temple and the devotees.

The present appeal challenges this order.

Also significant to note that on 3rd December, alleging that the temple authorities had not taken steps to comply with the December 01 order, the petitioners had moved a contempt petition, wherein the single judge allowed the petitioner devotee to go to the hilltop, accompanied by 10 others, to light the lamp. The court also directed the CISF commandant, attached to the Madurai bench of the High Court to give protection to the devotees and enable them to light the lamp.

Meanwhile, considering the huge crowd and the volatile situation prevailing in the area, the District Collector issued a prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC (Section 163 BNSS).

The District and Temple authorities meanwhile filed a letter patent appeal against the single judge's order in the contempt petition. This appeal was, however, dismissed by the same division bench, citing ulterior motive to preempt the contempt action.

After the division bench dismissed the letter patent appeal, the contempt petition was once again taken by the single judge. The judge quashed the prohibitory order of the Collector and directed the City Police Commissioner to give protection to the devotees to light the lamp at the hilltop on 4th December itself.

However, as per reports, the lights were not allowed to be lit yesterday either. Meanwhile, the officers have also filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court against the division bench order dismissing their LPA.

Case Title: The Executive Officer v. Rama Ravikumar and Others

Case No: WA (MD) 3188 of 2025