Overview
- The first division bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan directed the government to decide on all written objections and notify the final rules by January 5, 2026.
- The bench declined to amend the draft itself to preserve the scope for future judicial review of the finalised framework.
- The state’s 47-page draft covers events expecting at least 5,000 attendees and proposes penalties, damage recovery by District Collectors under the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992, and criminal prosecution.
- AIADMK objected to exemptions for customary religious gatherings, pushed for freedom to choose non-designated venues, opposed mandatory NHAI and State Highways permissions, and sought a three-day police decision window.
- TVK and Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi also filed suggestions, and the state told the court it will not permit public political meetings until the SOP is issued.