The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, hearing a contempt petition over non-compliance of its earlier directions, said a court-appointed five-member team should be allowed to perform puja near the Deepathoon at the hilltop of Thiruparankundram. Justice G.R. Swaminathan directed the Tamil Nadu government to clearly state its position on the issue by the next day.
The matter stems from writ petitions in which the court had earlier directed that Karthigai Deepam be lit not only at the usual locations on Thiruparankundram hill but also at the Deepathoon, and that police ensure the practice from 2025 onwards. A contempt petition was later filed alleging that the order was not implemented, naming the district collector, the police commissioner and the temple executive officer.
During earlier hearings, the court noted that the lamp was lit at the Ucchi Pillayar temple around 6 pm but not at the Deepathoon. The judge had also issued directions for security arrangements, including seeking deployment of CISF personnel, and a government appeal against that order was dismissed by a division bench.
In subsequent proceedings, the police commissioner and the temple executive officer expressed unconditional regret for being unable to carry out the order, after which the court dispensed with further appearance and framing of charges against them, while directing the collector to appear. On the latest hearing, the collector appeared and filed a response stating the prohibitory order was issued as a precaution due to large gatherings and potential law-and-order issues, and was not intended to prevent the temple authorities from lighting the lamp as per the court’s direction.
An intervention petition also sought action under contempt law against Minister Raghupathi, citing a reported statement that a prohibitory order was issued to prevent lighting the lamp at the pillar so it would not become a regular practice. Senior counsel for the state and the additional advocate general appeared for the government.
