Show cause for not complying with deepathoon order or face charges: HC to officials

Madurai: Madras high court on Friday observed that charges would be framed against the contemnors (officials) if they fail to show cause for not complying with its direction to light deepam at the deepathoon atop Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai district.Justice G R Swaminathan was hearing contempt petitions filed over non-compliance of an earlier order directing the lighting of Karthigai deepam at the deepathoon. Pursuant to the earlier direction, chief secretary N Muruganandam filed an affidavit before the court.Madurai collector K J Praveen Kumar, city commissioner of police J Loganathan, executive officer of Subramaniya Swamy temple in Thiruparankundram Yagna Narayanan, and deputy commissioner of police (DCP- Madurai South) A G Inigo Divyan, who are the contemnors in the case, were present before the court. The collector as well as DCP informed the court that they acted entirely on their own and not under dictation.Justice Swaminathan observed that even though the contemnors had sufficient opportunity, they did not show cause to date as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them. The state informed the court that Letters Patent Appeals were filed against the contempt proceedings and that they were yet to be taken up by the division bench, and therefore sought further time.The judge said that on Dec 1, 2025, the court allowed a batch of petitions for lighting Karthigai deepam at the deepathoon. This order was not obeyed by the temple authorities. "To frustrate the judicial order, collector Praveen Kumar passed a prohibitory order under Section 163 of BNSS, 2023," he said. Even though the prohibitory order was quashed by the court, DCP Inigo Divyan obstructed implementation of the court order. "Unless proper cause is shown, charges will be framed against the contemnors on Feb 2," the judge observed.The judge said that the primary order passed by the court was upheld by the division bench on Jan 6. The division bench was pleased to declare that the deepathoon area, which is on the lower peak of the hill, belongs to the temple. However, in connection with Sandhanakoodu festival, the dargah authorities tied the flag of the Pallivasal to the tree in the deepathoon area.Executive officer Yagna Narayanan stated that the permission of the temple authorities was not obtained before doing so. "The executive officer conceded that what was committed by the dargah officials was rank criminal trespass. Since the property of the temple was unauthorisedly trespassed upon by the dargah officials, he stated that he would lodge a complaint immediately before the jurisdictional police. He undertook to comply with all the necessary formalities to launch a proper criminal prosecution in this regard," the judge observed. The case was posted to Feb 6 for further hearing.