A.Yacob v. The Superintendent Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 16-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR A.Yacob S/o.late.Arulappan, No.12/115, Kamalapuram, Olagapuram Post, Vanur Taluk, Villupuram District-604154.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Superintendent of Police, Villupuram District, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Villupuram-605602.
2. The Inspector of Police, Brahmadesam Police Station, Villupuram District, Tamilnadu.
..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to receive the Petitioner's complaint regarding the loss of the original title deeds, issue CSR, conduct enquiry and issue Non-traceable Certificate within a time frame fixed by this court.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.S.Kathiravan For Respondent(s):
Mr.R.Vinothraja, Government Advocate (Crl. Side)
ORDER
The Writ Petition has been filed to direct the second respondent to receive the petitioner's complaint regarding the loss of original title deeds, issue CSR, conduct enquiry and issue Non-traceable Certificate within a time frame fixed by this Court.
2.The learned counsel for petitioner submitted that on 17.02.2026, the petitioner lodged a complaint to the second respondent. The gist of the complaint is that the petitioner is aged about 79 years. On 21.02.2025, he was carrying the land documents in Doc.No.316 of 1999 along with the parent document of the year 1981 in his two wheeler. When he was proceeding to Vellakulam junction to board the bus, he noticed that these two documents were found missing from the hand bag. He made search but unable to trace the documents. Thereafter, he lodged a complaint on 27.05.2025 through on-line. When he searched the status of the complaint, it was found that the complaint forwarded to Vaanur Police Station and finding that the missing of documents took place within the jurisdiction of Brahmadesam Police Station, he lodged the present complaint dated 17.02.2026. Since, no action has been taken, through an Advocate sent notice dated 04.03.2026 to the first and second respondents. Thereafter too, no action has been taken. Hence, the present petition.
3.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) submitted that though the petitioner states that he handed over the complaint on 17.02.2026, it is without any acknowledgement and the second respondent not received any such complaint. Likewise, with regard to notice dated 04.03.2026, it is seen that notice sent to Superintendent of Police, Villupuram and Inspector of Police, Villupuram and the second respondent not received any notice dated 04.03.2026. The Director General of Police, Head of Police Force, Chennai in R.C.No.2029209/General.1(1)/2022, dated 01.04.2022 issued certain guidelines in issuing Non-Traceable Certificate in respect of the missing documents. He further submits that if the petitioner appears in person and re-submits the complaint along with details of missing documents, thereafter following the DGP Circular, Non Traceable Certificate can be issued. 4.The learned counsel for petitioner, on instructions, submits that the petitioner will appear before the second respondent on 29.04.2026 along with documents and copy of the complaint.
5.This Court considered the rival submissions and perused the materials available on record.
6.A scanned reproduction of Circular issued by the Director General of Police, Head of Police Force, Chennai, dated 01.04.2022 and documents required to issue Non Traceable Certificate, are as follows:-
7.The respondent Police to follow the above circular for issuance of Non Traceable certificate, but the only concern is that citing the same, causing harassment by not entertaining the complaint of a person who lost the document and making him to run from pillar to post, is not proper. So that unnecessarily the public are not harassed and made to feel that they are harassed for some other reason. Now, the petitioner is ready to appear before the second respondent Police for further enquiry.
8.In view of the above, the petitioner is directed to appear before the second respondent Police on 29.04.2026 with all documents available with him including certified copy of the documents and compliant copy. On his appearance, the second respondent Police following the said circular take appropriate steps and issue Non Traceable Certificate without any delay. In any event, Non Traceable Certificate to be issued within a period of four weeks from the date of submission of documents to the second respondent Police. 9.With the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. 16-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order RSI
To
1. The Superintendent of Police, Villupuram District, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Villupuram-605602.
2. The Inspector of Police, Brahmadesam Police Station, Villupuram District, Tamilnadu.
3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.
RSI 16-04-2026