Thiruparankundram row: Prohibitory order passed to preserve law and order; not to defy HC orders

Madurai: Prohibitory orders were promulgated in Thiruparankundram town on Dec 3, 2025 only to preserve law and order, and not to defy the orders of the Madras high court asking the authorities to light the Karthigai deepam atop Thiruparankundram hill, Madurai district collector has told the court.Madurai collector K J Praveen Kumar filed the counter-affidavit in response to a contempt of court proceedings against him, along with Madurai city commissioner of police J Loganathan, executive officer of Subramaniya Swamy Temple Yagna Narayanan and deputy commissioner of police (Madurai south) A G Inigo Divyan. All the officers appeared before the court in person on Monday.Senior counsel appearing for the authorities submitted that a large number of people from Hindu outfits started to gather at Thiruparankundram on Dec 3, 2025. The situation had to be controlled and only after receiving multiple inputs did the collector pass the prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS to preserve law and order.He submitted that the prohibitory orders were not passed with any intention to disobey or defy the order passed by the court. All the officers also tendered their unconditional apology in their affidavits.Citing the tone and tenor of the affidavits filed by all the four officials, the senior counsel said it showed that they had no intention to disobey the orders passed by the court but they had acted only in view of the ground situation since a large number of people gathered at the spot.Earlier, Justice G R Swaminathan took a serious view of the conduct of the officials and questioned as to how the collector passed the prohibitory order to frustrate the court order. The judge orally remarked that he would proceed with the contempt against the collector alone.When the senior counsel sought time for the collector to file an additional affidavit for explanation, the judge granted time and split the contempt proceedings against the collector. The judge dispensed with the appearance of all the officials except the collector and posted the matter on March 2 for further hearing.During the previous hearing, the court observed that charges would be framed against the contemnors (officials) if they fail to show cause for not complying with the court's direction to light deepam at the deepathoon atop Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai district.Justice G R Swaminathan orally remarked that he came across a news report in a magazine which quoted a police officer calmly stating that he was ready to face the consequences. The state submitted that no official would make such a statement.