S.Venkatachalam v. The State Of Tamil Nadu Rep By, Food Safety Officer,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 12.11.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA and Crl.M.P.Nos.21113 & 21114 of 2025 S.Venkatachalam ... Petitioners Vs.
The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by, The Food Safety Officer, (Code No.559), Coimbatore Corporation, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, O/o. Designated Officer Office, Coimbatore District, 219, Race Course Road, Coimbatore - 641 018.
... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita/Section 482 Cr.P.C., to call for the records pertaining to the complaint in S.T.C.No.3888 of 2017, on the file of the Judicial Magistrate No.II, Coimbatore and quash the same. 1/6
For Petitioner : Mr.N.Subbarayalu For Respondent : Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan Additional Public Prosecutor 2/6
O R D E R
The present Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the proceedings pending against the petitioner/A2 in S.T.C.No.3888 of 2017, on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Coimbatore. 2.
Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner, who is an octogenarian, is a partner of the lodging house, Hotel Blue Star, in which a restaurant was running in the name and style of "Anu Restaurant", later renamed as "The Buffet". The Food Safety Officer has filed a criminal complaint in S.T.C.No.3888 of 2017 before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Coimbatore, against the said restaurant and others, for the offences under Sections 59 and 63 of the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006. In the said complaint, the petitioner was also impleaded solely on the ground that he is one of the partners of Hotel Blue Star, where the alleged restaurant is functioning. He further submitted that the petitioner has nothing to do with the business of the said restaurant. 3/6
Hence, he prayed to quash the proceedings against the petitioner. 3.
Per contra, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the trial in S.T.C.No.3888 of 2017 has already commenced and the case now stands posted for arguments on 20.11.2025. 4.
Having heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and upon perusal of the materials available on record, this Court is of the view that the case pertains to the year 2017 and the trial has already commenced and as such, the petitioner has approached this Court only at the fag end of the proceedings. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to interfere with the trial proceedings and finds no merits to quash the complaint. 5.
Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 4/6
12.11.2025 ham To 1.
The Judicial Magistrate No.II, Coimbatore.
2.
The Food Safety Officer, (Code No.559), Coimbatore Corporation, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, O/o. Designated Officer Office, Coimbatore District, 219, Race Course Road, Coimbatore - 641 018.
3.
The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA , J.
ham 5/6
and Crl.M.P.Nos.21113 & 21114 of 2025 12.11.2025 6/6