HC dismisses plea to follow Covid norms during fest

Madurai: The Madras high court on Tuesday dismissed a plea which sought to follow Covid-19 guidelines during the Chithirai festival in Madurai district. A division bench of justice R Subramanian and justice L Victoria Gowri dismissed the public interest litigation filed by K K Ramesh, a litigant appearing as party-in-person from Madurai district. The court observed that it cannot issue any direction regarding conduct of temple festivals since it falls within the domain of temple authorities. Similarly, the judges also dismissed another public interest litigation filed by G D Manikandan, an advocate who sought a direction to the authorities to ensure that basic facilities are provided to conduct Chithirai festival in a grand manner.