On Tuesday, 17th March The Madras High Court has put a temporary halt to contempt proceedings related to the dispute over the Karthigai Deepam lighting issue at Thiruparankundram Hills. The interim stay was given by a division bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman while hearing an appeal filed by the state authorities, and has scheduled the next hearing for 8th April.
The court also observed that the situation might not have escalated if the temple management had followed the earlier order and made arrangements to light the lamp at the Deepathoon (stone pillar) on time.
The problem began with an order passed by a single judge on 1st December, 2025, when the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple was directed to light the lamp at 6 pm on 3rd December. As this was not done, the contempt petition was filed by a devotee on the same day, after which the court allowed the petitioner, as well as 10 others, to light the lamp.
But the District Collector had put prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC, stating that the reason was law and order. On 4th December, the single judge set aside this order, stating that it was apparently done with the intention of evading the order of the court.
As the matter continued, other senior officials, including the Chief Secretary and Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order), were also asked to appear before the court. The Union Home Secretary was also added to the case, and notice was issued to the Deputy Commissioner of Police Inigo Divyan.
The Officials later told the court that they had all respected the orders of the court and had acted accordingly to maintain peace. The court then proposed a middle path, allowing five persons to pray at the site for 15 minutes.
Madurai District Collector KJ Praveenkumar, Police Commissioner J Loganathan, and DCP Inigo Divyan filed their appeals against contempt proceedings, leading to the current stay order.
