Si Of Police, Hasthampatty Ps v. Mala And 22 Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 22.09.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Suo Motu TR.No.6451 of 2025 (S.T.C.No. 1555 of 2020 of Judicial Magistrate III, Salem Taluk, Salem) The State rep. by The Sub Inspector of Police, Hasthampatty Police Station, Salem.

... Petitioner Vs.

1. Mala

2. Nazir

3. Shahitha Banu

4. Bhimrao Danush Paraiyar 5.Prabavathi 6.Halish 7.Lilli 8.Vasanthi 9.Ambika 10.Tamilarasi 11.Manikandan 12.Sathya 13.Sivakami 14.Deepa 15.Guna 16.Uma Devi 17.Maheswari 18.Jacob 19.Ranjith Kumar 20.Mani 21.Murasoli 22.Mallika Page No.1 of 4

23.Mohan ... Respondents For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sugendran 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 are that on 28.01.2019, the accused, without obtaining permission, staged a road blockade and protest at Periyeri village demanding removal of the crematorium solid-waste unit. A case was registered in Crime No.35 of 2019 on 28.01.2019 for the alleged offences under Sections 143 and 341 of Indian Penal Code. The final report was filed on 13.10.2019 thereafter, and the accused have been facing trial since then. Thus, it can be seen that the allegations concern exercising the democratic right to protest.

3. 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 Page No.2 of 4

4. Accordingly, the case in S.T.C.No. 1555 of 2020 on the file of Judicial Magistrate III, Salem Taluk, Salem shall stand quashed and this Suo Motu Transfer Case stand disposed of.

22.09.2025 nsl 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.3 of 4

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

nsl Suo Motu TR.No.6451 of 2025 22.09.2025 Page No.4 of 4