Stephen Paul Jose v. The State Rep.By Its,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 08-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR Stephen Paul Jose G-1, Lotus Apartment, Saraswathi Street, Srinivasapuram, Veeman Nagar,Thattanchavady, Puducherry-605009.

..Petitioner(s) Vs The State rep.by its, Inspector of Police, B2 RS Puram Police Station, Coimbatore.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER: This criminal original petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to direct the learned trial court to expedite and conclude the trial in Criminal Case SC.No.74 of 2024 on the file of Hon'ble Bomb Blast Special Court, Coimbatore, within a stipulated time frame as may be fixed by this Hon'ble Court.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.Santhoshkumar Ravi For Respondent(s):

Mr. LEONARD ARUL JOSEPH SELVAM ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

ORDER

The petitioner /A6 in S.C. No.74 of 2024 had filed this petition seeking for early disposal of the trial.

2.The contention of the petitioner is that the case is of the year 2018. There are totally 11 accused and no fault of the accused, the case has been kept pending without any progress of trial and hence, filed this petition. 3.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that in this case, FIR was registered on 08.02.2018. Thereafter, investigation completed and charge sheet made ready on 06.04.2018. Thereafter, the case was filed before the Sessions Court and was taken on file in PRC No.29 of 2018 on 05.10.2018. Thereafter, for some reason, the Sessions case number was not assigned and the case remained without any progress. Now, the case has been taken on file and on 04.04.2024, the learned Principal District Judge transferred the case to the III Additional Sub Court, Coimbatore. Charges were framed on 24.07.2025.

Thereafter, the case was transferred to Bomb Blast Court, Coimbature. On 27.11.2025, summons were issued to the witnesses for their appearance on 12.05.2026. It is further submitted that there are only 19 witnesses and the trial can be completed without any further delay within a period six months, provided the petitioner and the co-accused cooperative with the trial and not take unnecessary adjournment. In such circumstances, the trial can be completed within stipulated period.

4.Counsel for the petitioner undertakes to cross examine the witnesses as and when, they appear and submits that there will be no delay on the part of the petitioner in conducting the trial. He further submitted that he will also ensure that the co-accused in this case cooperate for the early completion of the trial. 5.In view of the submissions made on either side and considering the stage of the case, this Court directs the trial Court to proceed with the trial and complete the same, preferably within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, without granting unnecessary adjournments. Accordingly, the criminal original petition is disposed of. 08-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order sms To The Inspector of Police, B2 RS Puram Police Station, Coimbatore.

M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.

sms 08-04-2026