State By Sub Inspector Of Police, Thuthoor Ps v. Manikandan

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 28.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY (STC.No.1002 of 2024 of Judicial Magistrate Court No.II, Ariyalur Taluk, Ariyalur) State by Inspector of Police, Thuthoor Police Station, Ariyalur.

... Petitioner Vs.

Manikandan and 4 others.

... Respondent For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sugendran Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

The allegations in this case is that on 05.12.2021, the accused persons protested against the lockdown announced by the Government for Covid-19. 2.

A case was registered in Cr.No.181 of 2021 on 06.12.2021 for the alleged offences under Sections 143, 153, 269, 270, 290 of Indian Penal Code and under Section 4(1) of The Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959. The final report was filed on 17.12.2021 and the Page No.1 of 3

accused have been facing trial since then. Thus, it can be seen that the allegations concern exercising the democratic right to protest. Given the context and nature of the allegations, continuing the trial impinge upon the right to a speedy trial of the accused. No useful purpose will be served by continuing the case.

3.

Accordingly, the proceedings in STC.No.1002 of 2024 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate Court No.II, Ariyalur Taluk, Ariyalur is quashed and this Suo Motu Transfer case is disposed of. 28.08.2025 veda The Court below is directed to dispatch the copy of this order to all concerned. Page No.2 of 3

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

veda 28.08.2025 Page No.3 of 3