Kumbakonam Mutual Benefit Fund Nidhi Limited v. The State Of Tamilnadu,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 28/01/2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Kumbakonam Mutual Benefit Fund Nidhi Limited, Represents by its the Branch Manager, No.11, First Floor, State Bank Road, Palani, Dindigul District-624 601.

... Petitioner Vs

1. The State of Tamilnadu,, Rep by the Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District..

2. The State of Tamilnadu,, Rep by the Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Dindigul District.

(Crime No.22 of 2013).

3. P.Cheralathan,, S/o. Parama Shivan,

4. Udhaya Bashkar,, S/o. Seralathan, ... Respondents 1/5

PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to permit the petitioner to return the pledged jewels in the custody of the petitioner branch in connection with crime No.22 of 2013 on the file of the 2nd respondent police as per the order made in W.P(MD).No.5166 of 2013 dated 09.04.2013 through District Legal Service Authority, Dindigul within a stipulated time fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Antony Arulraj, For R1 and R2 : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to permit the petitioner to return the pledged jewels in the custody of the petitioner branch in connection with crime No.22 of 2013 on the file of the second respondent police as per the order made in W.P(MD).No.5166 of 2013 dated 09.04.2013 through District Legal Service Authority, Dindigul.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner restricted his prayer and submitted that an earlier writ petition had been filed, in which an order was passed. He further submitted that in the present petition, he 2/5

would not press for the larger relief sought in the earlier proceedings. In the order passed in W.P.(MD) No. 5166 of 2013 dated 09.04.2013, the relevant paragraph is extracted hereunder:

"This Writ Petition relates to Dindigul District. The Secretary, Legal Services Authority, Dindigul, is directed to include the representative of the petitioner in the Committee constituted for Dindigul District and to follow the very same procedure indicated in the earlier order passed by this Court dated 11.02.2013. The petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- [Rupees Two Lakhs only] before the Secretary, Legal Services Authority, Dindigul. The amount shall be paid by way of Demand Draft favouring the Secretary within a period of one week from today. The Secretary, Legal Services Authority, Dindigul, is directed to follow the very same procedure and dispose of the matter"

3. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent police submitted that a new committee has been constituted in compliance with the above order.

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4. In view of the above submission, the petitioner's representation may be considered by the new committee and appropriate orders may be passed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If no new committee has been constituted, a new committee shall be formed and thereafter the petitioner's representation may be considered and appropriate orders shall be passed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No Costs.

28.01.2026 TTA TO 1.The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District..

2. The Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Dindigul District.

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S.SRIMATHY,J TTA

ORDER

IN WP CRL.(MD) No.164 of 2026 Date : 28/01/2026 5/5