Dinesh Babu v. Commissioner Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 04-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN and WPMP CRL. No. 174 of 2026 Dinesh Babu S/o.M.Raghunathan, 1101, LB Road, Adyar, Chennai-600 020.

..Petitioner Vs

1. Commissioner of Police, 132, EVK Sampath Salai, Periamet, Vepery, Park Town, Chennai-600 007.

2. Deputy Commissioner of Police New Washermanpet Cross Road, Near VOC nagar Railway Station, New Washermanpet, Tondiarpet, Chennai-600 081.

3. The Inspector of Police, K1 Sembiam Police Station, Paper Mills Road, Bunder Garden, Perambur, Chennai-600 011.

4. Bureau of Immigration Rep.by its Commissioner Ministry of Home Affairs, No.26, Shastri Bhavan Annexe, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

..Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition (Criminal) filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, direction, declaring the action of the respondents in issuing a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the petitioner, Dinesh Babu in pursuance of FIR No.293 of 2024, on the file of the 3rd respondent as bad in law and direct the respondents not to obstruct/restrain the petitioner from travelling to and from the country using passport No.R4765043. For Petitioner:

M/s.V.Srimathi For Respondents:

Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar, Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu, (Criminal Side) for R1 to R3 M/s. M.P.Jaisha, CGSC For R4

ORDER

This Writ Petition (Criminal) has been filed seeking a declaration that the Look Out Circular issued by the respondents is illegal, arbitrary and unsustainable in law.

2.

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

3.

The petitioner is a material witness in the murder case relating to the murder of Armstrong, which was registered in Crime No.293 of 2024 on the file of the third respondent. It is the case of the respondents that the petitioner is closely associated with A2 and A18, who are absconding. Therefore, a Look Out Circular was issued against the petitioner. It is submitted that now the entire investigation has been completed and a final report was also filed. However, A2 and A18 continue to remain absconding till date.

4.

The learned Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 submitted that whenever the presence of the petitioner is required for the purpose of investigation, he shall appear before the third respondent and cooperate with the enquiry pertaining to the securing of A2 and A18 in Crime No.293 of 2024. 5.

In view of the above submission, the Look Out Circular issued against the petitioner is hereby set aside, on condition that the petitioner shall appear before the third respondent as and when required and summoned for enquiry in connection with securing the presence of A2 and A18 in Crime No.293 of 2024. Further, the petitioner shall file an affidavit before the third respondent undertaking that he shall report before the third respondent immediately upon his arrival in India.

6.

In the result, this Writ Petition (Criminal) stands allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs. 04-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order LPP

To

1. The Commissioner of Police, 132, EVK Sampath Salai, Periamet, Vepery, Park Town, Chennai-600 007.

2. The Deputy Commissioner of Police New Washermanpet Cross Road, Near VOC nagar Railway Station, New Washermanpet, Tondiarpet, Chennai-600 081.

3. The Inspector of Police, K1 Sembiam Police Station, Paper Mills Road, Bunder Garden, Perambur, Chennai-600 011.

4. The Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration Ministry of Home Affairs, No.26, Shastri Bhavan Annexe, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

5.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN J.

LPP and WPMP CRL. No. 174 of 2026 04-06-2026