Madurai: Contempt plea over Deepathoon lamp
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday heard a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with earlier directions to light the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon atop the Tirupparankundram hill. Justice G.R. Swaminathan remarked that he felt “cheated” after the temple administration sought time to consider permitting worship by a five-member court-nominated group, but later filed an appeal.
The judge also warned that warrants may have to be issued against Police Commissioner Lokanathan and Deputy Commissioner Inigo Divyan for not appearing before the court, adding that he would proceed against them in accordance with law.
The case traces back to an order dated December 1, 2025, passed on a writ petition filed by Ram Ravikkumar, Paramasivam and Arasupandi. The court had directed that, apart from customary locations, the Karthigai lamp should also be lit at Deepathoon on December 3, and that ensuring the practice from 2025 onward was the responsibility of the police.
After the lamp was lit at Ucchi Pillaiyar temple but not at Deepathoon, the court issued further directions, including security arrangements. A government appeal was dismissed by a division bench on December 4, following which the single judge reiterated that the lamp must be lit at Deepathoon with police protection.
On March 4, 2026, the judge suggested allowing a court-nominated five-member group to go to the hilltop and perform symbolic worship for 15 minutes, and sought responses from the police officers. However, the officers and the temple’s current executive officer filed an appeal, and a division bench granted an interim stay until April 8 on the December 4 direction requiring police protection for lighting the lamp at Deepathoon. During the latest hearing, the judge noted that the division bench order did not specifically mention a stay on his five-member-group worship proposal and questioned what relief had been sought before the appellate court.
