Sub Inspector Of Police v. Arjunan And 8 Others
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10.10.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Suo Motu TR.Nos.20303, 20313, 20337, 20341, 20343, 20344, 20356, 20360 of 2025 (PRC.Nos.600009, 600013, 600014, 600018, 600015, 600019, 600020, 600023 of 2018 on the file of Judicial Magistrate No.2, Bhavani Taluk, Erode respectively) For Petitioner : Mrs.G.V.Kasthuri Additional Public Prosecutor COMMON
ORDER
These Suo Motu Cases are dealt with in an extraordinary manner by the Dedicated Bench, pursuant to Suo Motu.W.P.(Crl.) No.618 of 2025. 2.
These are cases relating to the deceased forest brigand Veerappan. When he was active and the hunt was on, these cases were registered in the year 1993. In all these cases, the prime accused have died. Cases have been registered against every person, who was in contact with or suspected to be helping the said forest brigand. These cases are pending at the PRC stage, since warrants were pending against many of the accused. With the active Page No.1 of 4
steps taken by the learned Magistrate, most of the warrants have been executed or recalled wherever the accused were available and their presence is ensured. Some of the accused are reported to be dead. However, on account of the fact that there is no proof of death and it was not reported to any of the authorities, there is a problem in getting the Death Certificate and as such, the record reflects that NBW pending against the other accused.
3. It can be seen that these accused belong to the villages in which the forest brigand often visited and where he was carrying out his activities. It can be seen from the material records that these are the other accused, who are added mostly on suspicion rather than on proof. In some of the cases, the relevant explosive substance which are alleged were not even seized and also missing from the records. Further, merely because these are villagers associated with or confessed in the statement before the police that they knew the forest brigand, they were arrayed as accused. It can be seen that the predominant purpose was to keep a watch on these persons and to aid the apprehension of the said forest brigand and also the other main offenders. It can be seen that some of these accused are also innocent. Page No.2 of 4
4. In view of the sheer efflux of time of about 32 years, absolutely no meaningful trial is possible and as such no useful purpose will be served in keeping the matter pending.
5. Accordingly, all these cases in PRC.Nos.600009, 600013, 600014, 600018, 600015, 600019, 600020, 600023 of 2018 on the file of Judicial Magistrate No.2, Bhavani Taluk, Erode respectively are quashed and consequently, these Suo Motu Transfer Cases are disposed of. 10.10.2025 veda Note to the Trial Court:
1.
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. 2.
Since, this common order is typed for all the above mentioned cases, the Court concerned is directed to treat this order as separate order for all the aforementioned cases and type the cause title for each and every case. Page No.3 of 4
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
veda Suo Motu TR.Nos.20303, 20313, 20337, 20341, 20343, 20344, 20356, 20360 of 2025 10.10.2025 Page No.4 of 4