Selvaguru @ Manraj v. State Rep By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17.10.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.SIVAGNANAM Selvaguru @ Manraj ... Petitioner Vs.

State rep. by The Station House Officer, Foodcell Police Station, Puducherry, (Crime No.12 of 1996) ... Respondent PRAYER : This Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., to direct the learned Judicial Magistrate I at Puducherry to expedite the Trail In C.C.No.226 of 2014 and complete the trial within a stipulated time. For Petitioner : Mrs.P.Thirupurasundari For Respondent : Mr.V.Balamurugane, Public Prosecutor (Pondicherry)

ORDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed to direct the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I at Puducherry to expedite the Trail in C.C.No.226 of 2014 and complete the trial within a stipulated time. 1/4

2.The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that in this case, totally 5 accused, who are prosecuted and out of 5 accused, A1 to A3 died and now, A4 & A5 are facing trial for the offences punishable under Section 7(1)(a)(ii) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 r/w Section 34 of IPC in C.C.No.226 of 2014 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Puducherry. The petitioner is A5. The case has been pending from 2014 without any progress. Hence, the present petition has been filed.

3. I have considered the matter in the light of the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the materials available on record.

4. On perusal of the records, it appears that the respondent has prosecuted the petitioner along with other accused for the offences punishable under Sections 7(1)(a)(ii) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 r/w Section 34 of IPC and the case has been taken on file by the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Puducherry in C.C.No.226 of 2014. During the pendency of the trial, A1 to A3 died and now A4 and A5/petitioner are facing trial. It is 2/4

seen that the case has been protracted from 10.11.2014 without any valid reasons and now the case has been posted for examination of witnesses on 21.06.2022. Thereafter, there is no progress in the case. Thereby, the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Puducherry is directed to complete the trial and dispose of the case in C.C.No.226 of 2014 within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5.With the above direction, this Criminal Original Petition stands disposed of.

17.10.2022 Internet:Yes/No Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non speaking order shk To

1. The learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Puducherry 2.The Station House Officer, Foodcell Police Station, Puducherry,

3. The Public Prosecutor, Puducherry 3/4

V.SIVAGNANAM ,J.

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