Madras High CourtCRL OP/9507/2026disposed of

L. Muruganandham v. The State Represented By, The Commissioner Of Police,

2026-04-16Honourable Mr Justice M. Nirmal Kumar5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16-04-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR L. Muruganandham Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The State represented by, The Commissioner of Police, O/o.The Commissioner of Police, Salem City, Salem.

2.The Inspector of Police, D1, Fairlands Police Station, Salem.

3.Priyadharsini Respondent(s) PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to direct the Special Court for Schedule Castes/Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Salem to accept the surrender of the Petitioner and consider the Petitioner's bail application on the same day and grant a date of surrender itself in Crime No.372 of 2024, pending on the file of the respondent/police. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.D.Murthy For Respondent(s):

Mr.R.Vinoth Raja Government Advocate (Crl. Side) For R1 and R2

ORDER

This Criminal Original has been filed seeking a direction to direct the Special Court for Schedule Castes/Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Salem to accept the surrender of the Petitioner and consider the Petitioner's bail application on the same day and grant a date of surrender itself in Crime No.372 of 2024, pending on the file of the respondent/police.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate for respondents 1 and 2 and perused the materials available on record.

3. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, it is seen that there exists a tenancy dispute between the petitioner and the de facto complainant with regard to the payment of sale consideration. It is reported that the investigation in this case has already been completed, and FIR was closed as "Mistake of Fact". Thereafter, the protest petition was filed, and the respondent police has taken up further investigation. It is alleged that the petitioner abused the de facto complainant by uttering her caste name and on account of which, the present case had been registered against the petitioner.

4.In view of the specific bar under Section 18 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and also taking into consideration the possibility of misusing the pious intention of the Parliament against innocent persons, there shall be a direction to the jurisdictional Court, to consider the petitioner's bail application, preferably on the same day of their surrender, in connection with Crime No.372 of 2024 on the file of the second respondent Police and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity to the victims under Section 15-A of the SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989. The petitioner shall surrender before the jurisdictional Court within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above direction, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of.

16-04-2026 Jd Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes

1. The State represented by, The Commissioner of Police, O/o.The Commissioner of Police, Salem City, Salem.

2.The Inspector of Police, D1, Fairlands Police Station, Salem.

3. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai.

M.NIRMAL KUMAR J.

jd 16-04-2026