‘Sri Rama’ is very close to the heart of the religious sentiments of Hindus and when people are allowed inside the movie halls, malls and other public places stipulating the basic safety measures like wearing masks and using hands sanitizer, I do not find any reason to validate the official stance taken by the second respondent in this matter”, noted Justice R Hemalatha.
The above note is in the case where the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Thilagar Thidal (Law and Order) Range denied permission to conduct an awareness campaign through a Van in and around Madurai by “Sri Rama Jenma Boomi Theertha Kshethra Trust” citing COVID situation and law and order problem.
Shri N Selvakumar, District convenor of “Sri Rama Jenma Boomi Theertha Kshethra Trust filed a petition on 13 February, seeking permission for the same before Madras High Court (Madurai Bench).
On hearing the petition, Justice R Hemalatha directed the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City to consider the representation of the petitioner and pass appropriate orders with reasonable restrictions for the free movement of the vehicle in and around Madurai. The Court also said that “nowhere it is stated that the second respondent does not have powers to pass orders and in case, he found so, he should have forwarded the same to the Commissioner of police instead of rejecting the permission.”
