C.Ve.Shanmugam v. State Rep.By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 19.02.2026

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA and Crl.M.P.No.2985 of 2026 C.Ve. Shanmugam ... Petitioner Vs.

State represented by, The Inspector of Police, Villupuram West Police Station, Villupuram District.

(Crime No.450 of 2024) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita/Section 482 Cr.P.C., to call for the records and quash the proceedings as against the petitioner in Crime No. 450 of 2024, pending on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr. M. Mohamed Riyaz For Respondent : Mr.K.M.D. Muhilan, Additional Public Prosecutor 1/5

O R D E R

The present Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the FIR registered in Crime No.450 of 2024 pending on the file of the respondent police.

2.

The case of the prosecution is that on 30.12.2024, the petitioner and others, who belong to a political party, without obtaining any prior permission, unlawfully assembled and protested against the Government seeking justice for an incident of sexual assault that occurred at Anna University, thereby causing disturbance to the public. Consequently, the aforesaid case in Crime No.450 of 2024 was registered by the respondent Police for the offences under Sections 189(2), 126(2) & 223 of BNS, 2023, which is now sought to be quashed. 3.

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the facts of the instant case are similar to the facts of the cases in Jeevanandham and others vs. The Inspector of Police, Velayuthampalayam Police Station, Karur District reported in (2018 2 LW (Crl) 606) and Sri Raja vs Inspector of Police, Sivakasi Town Police Station Virudhunagar District and others (Crl.O.P(MD) No.7922 of 2019, 2/5

decided on 30.08.2019), in which the proceedings were quashed. Hence, he prayed to quash the proceedings pending against the petitioner. 4.

Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent Police endorsed the aforesaid submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the facts of the instant case are akin to the facts in the aforesaid two cases.

5.

Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6.

In view of the above, this Court is of the opinion that the above said decisions would apply on all fours to the present case and that no useful purpose will be served by keeping the proceedings pending and is liable to be quashed. Further, though the petition has been filed by the petitioner alone, no useful purpose would be served by allowing the proceedings to continue against the remaining accused, who are all similarly placed, and it is an abuse of process of law. 3/5

7.

Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition stands allowed and the proceedings pending against the petitioner in Crime No.450 of 2024, on the file of the respondent police, are hereby quashed in entirety. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 19.02.2026 Index: Yes/No AT To 1.The Inspector of Police, Villupuram West Police Station, Villupuram District.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

4/5

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

AT and Crl.M.P.No.2985 of 2026 19.02.2026 5/5