E5, L And O, Inspector Of Police v. Syed Akbar Masthani

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 02.09.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY (C.C.No.2220 of 2019 of XXIII Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Saidapet Taluk, Chennai) The Inspector of Police, E5, Foreshore Estate Police Station (Law & Order), Mylapore, Chennai.

... Petitioner Vs.

Syed Akbar Masthani ... Respondent For Petitioner : Mrs.G.V.Kasthuri Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

This Suo Motu Case is dealt with in an extraordinary manner by the Dedicated Bench, pursuant to Suo Motu.W.P.(Crl.) No.618 of 2025. 2.

The allegations in this case is that on 15.03.2019, the accused and 23 others, protested against the Government, without obtaining any prior permssion.

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3.

A case was registered in Cr.No.67 of 2019 on 15.03.2019 for the alleged offences under Sections 143 & 188 of Indian Penal Code. The final report was filed on 21.03.2019 and the 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 impinges on the right to a speedy trial of the accused. No useful purpose will be served by continuing the case. 4.

Accordingly, the proceedings in C.C.No.2220 of 2019 on the file of the learned XXIII Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Saidapet Taluk, Chennai is quashed and this Suo Motu Transfer case is disposed of. 02.09.2025 veda electronically alone. The Trial Court shall take note of the order and accordingly classify the case pending before them as allowed / dismissed / disposed of, etc, and while doing so, consider any applications such as disposal of properties, etc., and pass appropriate orders, as may be necessary. Further, the Court below is directed to dispatch the copy of this order to all concerned. Page No.2 of 3

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

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