The Madras High Court on Monday (June 23, 2025) dismissed a petition filed by BJP leader H. Raja to quash a notice issued to him by the Madurai City police for conducting an inquiry with regard to a speech delivered by him during a demonstration organised by Hindu Munnani at Pazhanganatham junction in Madurai city on February 4, 2025, alleging encroachment of the Tirupparankundram hillock.
Justice P. Velmurugan refused to entertain the quash petition at the admission stage itself, after observing that a person summoned for inquiry by the police had no authority to challenge such a notice issued under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The judge directed the petitioner to appear before the investigating officer for the inquiry and extend full cooperation to the investigation.
Thiruparankundram row: Early references to the usage of ‘Sikkandar Malai’ by the Mohamedans in Madurai
The issue relates to a massive controversy that had arisen early this year with a section of people alleging that a dargah had been constructed on an encroached portion atop the Tirupparankundram hillock, which houses the Subramaniaswamy Temple, one of the Arupadaiveedu (six sacred temples) of Lord Murugan. The Madurai city police had registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Mr. Raja after he participated in the demonstration.
