Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Plea Seeking E-Passes For Lord Murugan Conference At Madurai; Allows To Approach HC

The Supreme Court today (June 19) declined to entertain a petition challenging the condition imposed by the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, requiring vehicle passes to be obtained 24 hours in advance from the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for the upcoming Lord Murugan Conference (Muruga Bakthargal Aanmeega Maanadu) scheduled on June 22, 2025, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

The petitioner approached the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court's order refusing to grant relief to the petitioner to apply for e-passes on the existing Tamil Nadu E-Pass portal for the upcoming Muruga Bakthargal Aanmeega Maanadu event.

The matter was listed before the partial court working days bench comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and Prasanna B Varale.

Before the Supreme Court, Sr. Adv. Siddharth Luthra, representing the petitioner, raised concerns about a High Court order denying the use of e-passes, despite the country moving towards digital systems.

“Everywhere in the country, we are turning digital. Here the High Court says e-passes will not be possible..” said Mr. Luthra.

Upon being informed by Mr. Luthra that the Additional Advocate General had cited logistical difficulties in issuing e-passes, the bench questioned him, asking how the respondents could be compelled to issue e-passes when they were facing such logistical constraints.

“How can you force them?”, the bench asked Mr. Luthra about issuing directions to the Respondents to issue e-passes.

Since a remedy of Letters Patent Appeal was not exhausted by the Petitioner, the Court granted liberty to the Petitioner to withdraw the Petition and disposed of the SLP as withdrawn.

“He thus prays liberty to withdraw the instant special leave petition so that the petitioners can avail the suitable remedy in the High Court.”, the court said.

Case Title: M. ARASUPANDI VS. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, SLP(Crl) No. 009176 - 009177 / 2025