The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday summoned Madurai City Commissioner of Police after a petitioner complained that a police officer in uniform was smoking a cigarette while on duty at a police check post near Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple.A Division Bench of Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K.
Ramakrishnan was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by A. Radhakrishnan of Salem, who said he was a devotee of the temple.
The petitioner said on October 16 at around 7 a.m., he noticed a Special Sub-Inspector of Police smoking a cigarette while on duty at the police check post near the temple.He said despite him questioning this, the police officer continued to smoke. The incident had caused him mental anguish and raised concerns regarding discipline among police personnel in public and religious places.He said he had lodged a complaint in this regard.
However, the action taken appeared to be confined to an internal warning and temporary duty assignment, without adequately demonstrating consideration of the applicable statutory provisions, the relevant service rules and the wider issues raised in the complaint.He sought a direction to the authorities to take appropriate preventive measures across the State to ensure discipline and effective enforcement of relevant statutory proceedings and service rules. The court posted the matter for hearing to November 12.
Published - November 04, 2026 11:12 pm IST