Arunkumar v. State Represented By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 22.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR Crl.O.P. No. 7747 of 2026 Mr. Arunkumar ..Petitioner Vs.

State rep. by Inspector of Police, CBCID Police Station, Puducherry, (Crime No. 11 of 2023).

..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS to issue a direction to the learned Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Puducherry to complete the trial in C.C. No. 406 of 2025 as expeditiously as possible within the time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner :: Mr.G. Ezhil Balaji For Respondent :: Mr.M.V. Ramachandra Murthy, Public Prosecutor, Govt. of Puducherry 1\4

O R D E R

This criminal original petition is filed by the de facto complainant to issue a direction to the learned Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Puducherry to complete the trial in C.C. No. 406 of 2025 as expeditiously as possible within the time frame fixed by this Court. 2.

The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that on the complaint of the petitioner, a case in Crime No. 11 of 2023 was registered on 21.10.2023 for the offence under Section 420 r/w 34 IPC. There are totally two accused in this case. On completion of investigation, charge sheet filed for the offences under Sections 420, 406, 468 & 471 r/w 34 IPC. However, the accused, on 06.02.2026, represented that the matter may be referred to mediation so that the issue could be resolved. Thereafter, the matter was referred to mediation and on 31.03.2026, it was referred back to Court stating that mediation failed and now, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in the calendar case, there are 18 witnesses and the evidence can be completed within a stipulated time and the matter can be argued.

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3.

Learned Public Prosecutor submitted that on the complaint of the petitioner, case has been registered, investigation completed, charge sheet filed and the case has been taken on file on 13.06.2025. Charges were framed on 09.10.2025 and on 06.02.2026, the learned counsel for the accused represented that the matter may be referred to mediation and it was in mediation until 31.03.2026. Thereafter, since mediation failed, the case bundle has been returned to the Court. Summons have been issued to the witnesses and the case is posted to 11.05.2026. He further submitted that there are 18witnesses in this case and the trial can be completed without any delay.

4.

Considered the submissions on either side and perused the materials on record.

5.

In view of the above facts, the Trial Court is directed to completed the trial within a period of 9 months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The criminal original petition is disposed of accordingly. 22.04.2026 nv 3\4

M. NIRMAL KUMAR,J.

nv To

1. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Puducherry.

2. Inspector of Police, CBCID Police Station, Puducherry.

3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

Crl.O.P. No. 7747 of 2026 22.04.2026 4\4