Abdul Harrish v. The State Rep. By Inspector Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 26-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR and Crl.M.P.Nos.5494 & 5495 of 2026
1. Abdul Harrish
2. Ramanjijam
3. Jabeer
4. Nasurudeen
5. Apsal @ Mohammed Afsel
6. Abith @ Zeenul Abeed
7. Arun
8. Zakeerhussain
9. Firosekan @ Firozkhan H 10.Selvanayakam @ Sevanayagam 11.Gopi @ Gopalakrishnan 12.Ponmohandass @ Mohandas P 13.Keithswaran @ Ketheeswaran 14.Saistee @ Sasty 15.Naasar @ Nasar T P 16.Muhammed Ansar @ Mohammed Ansar C A 17.Tamilselvan 18.Mujipraguman @ Mujeeb Rahuman ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The state rep. by inspector of police, Devala Police satiation, The Nilgiris.
2. Shoba, Village Administrative officer, Devala No.1 Village, Devala, The Nilgiris.
..Respondent(s)
Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of B.N.S.S., to call for the records pertaining to the proceedings in PRC No. 10 of 2025, on the file of the Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur, The Nilgiris, and quash the same. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.G.Jaisivaramaraj For Respondent(s):
Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Addl. Public Prosecutor for R1
ORDER
The present Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the proceedings in PRC No. 10 of 2025, on the file of the Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur, The Nilgiris.
2.
The case of the prosecution is that on 08.12.2024, the petitioners unlawfully assembled, wrongfully restrained the public at Devala bazzar to stage the protest against the tar mixing plant (PRCC) in Devala. Therefore, a case in Crime No.248 of 2023 was registered by the respondent Police for the offences under Sections143 & 341 IPC and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. After completion of investigation, the final report has been filed before the Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur in P.R.C.No.10 of 2025.
3.
Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners 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, decided on 30.08.2019), in which the proceedings were quashed. Hence, he prayed to quash the proceedings pending against the petitioners.
4.
Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent Police endorses the aforesaid submission. He also submitted that the final report has been filed and the same has been taken cognizance in S.C.No.22 of 2026 on the file of the Principal District Court, Udhagamandalam. 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.
7.
Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition stands allowed and all further proceedings in connection with P.R.C.No.10 of 2026 pending on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur, is hereby quashed in entirety. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 26-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order VKR To 1.The Principal District Judge, Udhagamandalam. 2.The Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur.
3.The Inspector of police, Devala Police satiation, The Nilgiris.
4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.
VKR 26-03-2026 (2/2)