Legal tussle over Madurai lamp-lighting ritual: Madras HC adjourns appeal, contempt proceedings
2 benches of the High Court took up parallel proceedings on Friday — one on the appeal against an order permitting the lamp-lighting, and the other on whether officials defied that order
A lamp lit at Thiruparankundram temple as part of 'Karthigai Deepam' festival celebrations, in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (PTI Photo) In the ongoing legal battles over the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop the Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai, two benches of the Madras High Court took up parallel proceedings on Friday — one on the appeal against an order permitting the lamp-lighting, and the other on whether officials defied that order.
A division bench of Justices G Jayachandran and K K Ramakrishnan adjourned the government’s appeal against the December 1 single-judge ruling that allowed devotees to light the ceremonial lamp at the Deepathoon — a stone pillar located near the Ucchi Pillaiyar shrine and close to a dargah complex. The bench said it would take up the case next Friday, December 12, after all parties already involved file their appeals.
The bench noted that, apart from the present appellants — the Madurai District Collector, the city’s Police Commissioner, and the Executive Officer of Thiruparankundram Subramania Swamy Temple — the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and the dargah administration would also file appeals.
“I will hear everyone together,” Justice Jayachandran said, adding that the court would not permit fresh impleadments at this stage.
The appeal challenges Justice G R Swaminathan’s ruling that the Deepathoon lies outside the dargah’s jurisdiction and that preventing the lamp-lighting would infringe on the temple’s rights and religious practice.
Events escalated earlier this week when, alleging non-compliance, petitioners filed a contempt plea. In response, the single judge bench directed the CISF to escort devotees to the summit and ensure the lamp was lit. But the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing crowd control and security concerns.
The government then filed a Letters Patent Appeal, which the division bench dismissed, calling it an attempt to preempt contempt. The single judge bench responded by quashing the prohibitory order and again ordering police protection, this time with the warning that failure would carry “harsh consequences.”
The lamp remained unlit on December 4.
In the Madurai bench, Justice Swaminathan briefly reconvened contempt proceedings Friday morning. The petitioners’ counsel alleged police obstruction and detention of devotees. With senior advocate Vikas Singh appearing for the state and the government informing the court that it has now moved the Supreme Court by way of a Special Leave Petition, the judge paused further action.
Requesting a factual report from the CISF commandant who attempted to implement the court’s order but was unable to proceed, the judge adjourned the contempt hearing to Tuesday.
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