Mohammed Kaleel v. State Rep.By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 20.02.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH and Crl.M.P.No.2815 of 2024 Mohammed Kaleel S/o.Jaffarullah ... Petitioner Vs.

State : Inspector of Police, G-3, Kilpauk Police Station, Chennai.

... Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure praying to call for the records and quash the First Information Report in Crime No.161 of 2021 pending on the file of respondent.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Arun For Respondent : Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl.side) *****

O R D E R

1/4

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the First Information Report in Crime No.161 of 2021 pending on the file of respondent.

2. The case of the prosecution is that during the pandemic period, a surprise inspection was made and the accused persons were found in possession of the Remdesivir medicine and they were attempting to sell it in the black market. The First Information Report came to be registered in Crime No.161 of 2021 on 17.05.2021 for offences u/s.465, 468 and 471 IPC and Section 7(1)(a)(i) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

3. Heard Mr.M.Arun, learned counsel for petitioner and Mr.A.Gopinath, learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for respondent.

4. In the considered view of this Court, during the pandemic period, Remdesivir was considered to be an important medicine for treatment of covid patients. This medicine was in great demand. Hence, the accused persons, who were found to be in possession of Remdesivir 2/4

were not able to give a proper explanation as to how they came into possession of the medicine. Hence, the First Information Report was registered. By passage of time, this issue has become insignificant as on today. No useful purpose will be served in continuing with the investigation in this case.

In the light of the above discussion, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed and the First Information Report in Crime No.161 of 2021 pending on the file of respondent, is hereby quashed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

20.02.2024 Speaking Order/Non-speaking Order Index :Yes/No gm To

1. The Inspector of Police, W-16, All Women Police Station Puliyanthope, Chennai - 12 2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.

3/4

gm 20.02.2024 4/4