Thirupparankundram ‘deepam’ row: Madurai Collector tenders unconditional apology to Madras High Court

In connection with the row over the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at a pillar on the Thirupparankundram hills last December, Madurai Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar, Commissioner of Madurai City Police J. Loganathan and others have tendered an unconditional apology following initiation of contempt of judiciary proceedings by the judge.

The Collector, in an affidavit, informed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that he had passed the prohibitory orders on December 3, 2025, taking into account the ground situation in Thirupparankundram and to maintain law and order. 

The other contemnors: Executive Officer of Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thirupparankundram, Yagna Narayanan; and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Madurai South) A.G. Inigo Divyan, filed similar affidavits, tendering an unconditional apology before the court.

Representing the officials, senior counsel V. Giri said the Collector had passed the prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, taking into account the ground situation. People from Hindu outfits had started pouring in. To keep the situation under control, the prohibitory orders had been passed after receiving inputs. There was no intention to disobey the court orders, it was submitted.

Justice G.R. Swaminathan, who is hearing the contempt petitions related to the Thirupparankundram issue, said he had read a report in a magazine that cited a police officer saying they were ready to face the consequences. The State submitted no officer would make such a statement, and that it may not have been intentional, it was submitted.

Justice Swaminathan questioned how the Collector had passed the prohibitory orders to frustrate the court order. The judge granted the Collector time to file an additional affidavit to explain and posted the matter to March 2. The court split the contempt proceedings against the Collector. The appearance of the contemnors, except the Collector, was dispensed with.

Earlier, the court took on record the affidavit filed by Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam. The Collector and the Deputy Commissioner of Police had informed the court they had acted entirely on their own and not under dictation. The court also took a serious view that though the prohibitory order was quashed, the court order was not implemented.