Madras High CourtCRL OP/21168/2023disposed of

V.Dinesh Babu v. State Rep By

2023-09-14Honourable Mr Justice N. Anand Venkatesh4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 14.9.2023 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH CRL.O.P.No.21168 of 2023 V.Dinesh Babu

...Petitioner

Vs.

The Inspector of Police, EDF Team-IV, Central Crime Branch, Commissionerate of Tambaram, Sholinganallur, Chennai-119.

...Respondent

Criminal Original Petition under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code praying to direct the respondent police not to harass the petitioner under the guise of enquiry.

For Petitioner :

Mr.T.Sundaravadanam For Respondent :

Mr.A.Damodaran, APP

ORDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondent police not to harass the petitioner under the guise of enquiry.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondent. 1/4

3. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent submits that on the complaint given by the defacto complainant against the petitioner, petition enquiry is pending in C.No. 204 of 2022 on the file of the respondent.

4. The petitioner is directed to co-operate with the police for enquiry and at the time of conducting of the enquiry, the petitioner shall not be harassed by the police. The police cannot call the petitioner on a regular basis in the guise of enquiry without even registering an FIR and the Supreme Court of India in the case of Lalitha Kumari Vs. Government of Uttar Pradesh [reported in 2013 (6) CTC 353] has enumerated the nature of cases where preliminary enquiry can be conducted and has also restricted the period, for which preliminary enquiry can be conducted. During the course of enquiry, if any cognizable offence is made out, the respondent is free to register an FIR and this order shall not be a shield for the petitioner against the respondent proceeding to take action in accordance with law.

5. With the above directions, the Criminal Original Petition is closed.

14.9.2023 2/4

Index : Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes/No To 1.The Inspector of Police, EDF Team-IV, Central Crime Branch, Commissionerate of Tambaram, Sholinganallur, Chennai-119.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

gm 3/4

N.ANAND VENKATESH,J gm CRL.O.P.No.21168 of 2023 14.9.2023 4/4