D.Ranjan v. The State Rep. By Its Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 07-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR and Crl.M.P.No.3950 of 2026 D.Ranjan S/o.Dharmalingham, Dr. Ambedkar 5th Street, Ayalur Village, Thiruvallur District.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The State Rep. by its Inspector of Police Vengal Police Station, Thiruvallur- 103.

(Crime No. 18/2021)

2. The Sub Inspector of Police, Vengal Police Station, Thiruvallur-103.

..Respondent(s) Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of B.N.S.S., to call for the records in connection with Crime No. 18/2021 on the file of the respondents and quash the same.

For Petitioner(s):

Ms.S.Satheeswari For Respondent(s):

Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Addl. Public Prosecutor, Assisted by Ms.T.Harshana

ORDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the first information report in Crime No.18 of 2021 pending on the file of the respondents.

2.

The contention of the petitioner is that a false case has been foisted against him by the respondents police. It is submitted that the prosecution has alleged that the petitioner was found in possession of 15 bottles of unlabeled brand, each containing 180 ml. She further submitted that the alleged contraband has already been destroyed in the presence of the police officials, thereby casting serious doubt on the prosecution case. It is also submitted that the alleged arrest is projected to have been made in a public place, which, according to the petitioner, is not supported by any independent witness. She further submitted that though he is alleged to be involved in previous cases, the present case has been falsely registered only for statistical purposes, without any genuine basis and therefore the continuation of the proceedings would amount to abuse of process of law.

3.

The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents submitted that the petitioner is a habitual offender and is involved in more than 20 criminal cases of similar nature. It is further submitted that the petitioner was found in conscious possession of 15 bottles of illicit liquor, which were seized from a gunny bag. The petitioner was apprehended redhanded and subsequently, arrested. He further submitted that samples of the seized contraband have been taken for chemical analysis and the remaining quantity has been destroyed in accordance with the prescribed procedure. It is further submitted that the investigation is nearing completion and the final report will be filed shortly.

4.

This Court has considered the submissions made on either side and perused the materials available on record. At this stage, it is to be noted that the allegations against the petitioner disclose prima facie materials indicating his involvement in the offence. The contention of the petitioner that the case has been falsely foisted cannot be conclusively decided in a petition filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C., as it involves disputed questions of fact. The materials placed by the prosecution, including seizure and sampling of contraband, indicate that there are sufficient grounds to proceed with the investigation. The destruction of the contraband, after taking samples, appears to have been done in accordance with procedure and does not, at this stage, vitiate the prosecution case.

Further, the contention regarding absence of independent witnesses and previous cases are matters to be considered during trial and cannot be a ground for quashing at the threshold. This Court is of the view that the petitioner has not made out any case to establish that the proceedings are an abuse of process of law or that the allegations are inherently improbable. 5.

In view of the above, this Court finds no merit in the Criminal Original Petition. Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 07-04-2026 Index: Yes/No VKR

M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.

VKR To 1.The Inspector of Police Vengal Police Station, Thiruvallur- 103.

2.The Sub Inspector of Police Vengal Police Station, Thiruvallur- 103.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

07-04-2026