Umarani v. The State Of Tamilnadu Rep. By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 09-03-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR Umarani Petitioner Vs The State of Tamilnadu Rep. by, The Inspector of Police, Perumanallur Police Station, Tiruppur District.

(Cr.No.527 of 2020) Respondent PRAYER This original petition is filed under section 528 of BNSS seeking to call for the records pertaining to the impugned Charge Sheet in CC.No.187 of 2020 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court, Avinashi and quash the same as illegal and pass such further or other orders as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice. For Petitioner:

Mr.G.Brittovalan Arasun (VC) For Respondent:

Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Addl. Public Prosecutor 1/6

ORDER

The petitioner has filed this criminal original petition seeking to quash the criminal case in C.C.No.187 of 2020 pending on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Avinashi.

2.Mr.G.Brittovalan Arasun, learned counsel on record for the petitioner has appeared before this court through video conferencing platform. Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, learned Additional Public Prosecutor takes notice for the respondent police.

3.It is the case of the learned counsel for the petitioner that a case has been registered against the petitioner for the offences under sections 294(b), 353, 506(1) and 270 of IPC by the respondent police alleging that the petitioner has conducted a prayer meeting in her house during the Corona lockdown period and she has abused the police during enquiry. The learned counsel submitted that the petitioner has not conducted any meeting in public place and that a prayer meeting alone has been conducted in her house and that too with the family members. Therefore, it is the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner has not violated any guidelines pertaining to the Corona lock down period and hence he has sought to quash the complaint registered against the petitioner.

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4.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police submitted that during Corona pandemic period, when the respondent police was on patrol on 26.04.2020, on receiving an information that the petitioner was conducting prayer meeting in her house despite the Corona restrictions were put in place, the police have gone to the residence of the petitioner for an enquiry and they found the prayer meeting was going on and when the petitioner was enquired, she abused the police in filthy language and also threatened the police who enquired her. On seeing the police, the people who have gathered for the prayer meeting have run away from the place.

Hence, a case has been registered against the petitioner for violating the restrictions imposed during the Corona pandemic period and also for abusing and threatening the police by preventing them from doing their work. After investigation, the final report has been filed. The Corona restrictions were imposed in order to prevent spreading of the Corona virus but the petitioner has violated the same and further has abused the police and threatened them while performing their public duties.

5.This Court considered the submissions made by both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6.In the light of the submissions made and considering the materials available on record, it is seen that a case has been registered against the 3/6

petitioner alleging that the petitioner has conducted a prayer meeting inside her house when the lockdown was in force during the Corona pandemic period and on enquiry by the police, the petitioner has abused and threatened them. On completion of the investigation, the police has filed the charge sheet. It is to be noted that the Government has imposed various restrictions during the Corona period in order to avoid spreading of the Corona virus and there is prohibition of public gathering during that period. It is the duty of the law enforcing authorities to monitor the situation. During the said period, while the police are monitoring the situation, it was found that the petitioner has conducted prayer meeting insider her house and on enquiry a case has been registered against her.

It is to be noted that the petitioner has conducted the prayer meeting only inside of her house and with the family members. There is nothing on record to show that any public or outsiders have participated in the prayer meeting conducted in the residence of the petitioner or that it was conducted in a public place so as to constitute any violation of the Covid 19 pandemic restrictions which were in force at that time. In the absence of any concrete materials to show that any public have also participated in the prayer and it was conducted in public place, it cannot be said that there is violation of restrictions imposed. Further, there is nothing to indicate that the said act had resulted in any public disturbance and was repeated thereafter. In such view of the matter, continuing the prosecution case would not serve any useful purpose.

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7.In view of the above, the criminal case registered against the petitioner in C.C.No.187 of 2020 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Avinashi is quashed and this criminal original petition is allowed. No costs. 09-03-2026 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes vvk To 1.The Inspector of Police, Perumanallur Police Station, Tiruppur District.

Cr.No.527 of 2020.

2.The Judicial Magistrate, Avinashi 3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai 5/6

M.NIRMAL KUMAR J.

vvk CRL OP No. 5998 of 09-03-2026 6/6