Madras HC Upholds Order to Light Lamp at Thiruparakundram Hills, Criticises Tamil Nadu Govt

Madurai: On Tuesday, The Madras High Court Madurai bench upheld a single judge's order directing the lighting of a lamp at the stone pillar atop the Thiruparakundram hills.

Division bench comprising justice G Jayachandran and Justice KK Ramakrishnan held that the single judge's order was not barred by res judicita, as the issue had not been conclusively decided in earlier litigations.

The court added that the apellants, including the DMK-led state government, Hazarath Sultan Sikkandar Badusha Avuliya Dargah, had failed to produce evidence to show that agama shastra prevented lighting lamp.

Criticising the Tamil Nadu government, the bench rejected the arguments that law and order may be disrupted if the lamp is lit atop the hill. The court said that it is ridiculous and hard to believe that the lighting of the lamp by the temple management could cause a disturbance to public peace, unless that is "sponsered by the state itself".

The Court added that it hope that no state would "stoop to that level" for their political agenda.

It also directed that public should not be allowed to accompany temple devasthanam for lighting of the lamp at Deepathoon.

The District collector was directed to supervise and coordinate the event.