R.Magudeeswaran v. The State Of Tamil Nadu
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 19.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Crl.O.P.(MD).No.786 of 2026 R.Magudeeswaran
...Petitioner
Vs.
The State of Tamil Nadu rep., by its 1.The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul, Dindigul District.
2.The Inspector of Police, Keeranur Police Station, Dindigul District.
Crime No.171 of 2025 ... Respondents Prayer : Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to direct the second respondent to file a final report in Crime No. 171 of 2025 on the file of the second respondent dated 10.08.2025 in accordance with law within stipulated time.
For Petitioner : Mr.C.Susikumar For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthikumar Government Advocate (Crl.side) 1/9
ORDER
Preface:
The advent of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 marks a constitutional transformation in India's criminal jurisprudence. For the first time since Independence, the criminal process has been consciously re-engineered to be victimcentric, citizen-responsive and justice-oriented, in contrast to the colonial enactments which were historically designed to subserve the interests of an imperial administration and to control its subjects.
2. The new Codes emphasise timeliness, transparency, accountability, and proportionality, recognising delay as a denial of justice. In particular, the BNSS, 2023, by codifying strict timelines for investigation in Section 193, ensures that the investigating agency cannot indefinitely keep the sword of uncertainty hanging over the head of an accused or allow victims to languish without closure. It is in this 2/9
mandate of constitutional justice that the present petition deserves to be examined.
3. This Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking a direction to the 2nd respondent to file a final report with respect to the Crime No.171 of 2025.
Submissions:
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that though the FIR was registered on 10.08.2025, no final report has been filed till date. Such delay is contrary to the statutory mandate under Section 193 BNSS, which prescribes time-bound investigation. It is therefore prayed that necessary directions be issued.
5. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. side) submits that the investigation is in progress and the investigating officer shall abide by any timeline fixed by this Court.
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6. Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.
Analysis:
7. The BNSS has introduced a strict regime of time-bound investigation, which reads as follows:
(i) Section 193(1) BNSS mandates that every investigation under this Sanhita shall be completed without unnecessary delay. (ii)Section 193(2) BNSS mandates that in relation to offences punishable with imprisonment of seven years or more, the investigation shall ordinarily be completed within ninety days; and in all other offences, within sixty days.
(iii) Section 193(3) BNSS, mandates that if the investigation is not completed within the period prescribed, the investigating officer shall record the reasons in writing and intimate the Magistrate of such delay.
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8. The statute therefore creates (i) a positive duty to complete investigation promptly; (ii) outer time limits; and (iii) a compulsory accountability mechanism for delay. These provisions are mandatory in nature and bind the investigating agency.
9. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner's son employed as a Accountant at Devi Bricks Chamber at Thumpalapatti. There was a salary dispute between the petitioner's son, Saravanan and employees hailing from another State. Thereafter, the petitioner's son was sent to Coimbatore bricks chamber. On 09.08.2025 the petitioner's son returned back to his native from Coimbatore, at that time, one Dineshkumar invited his son to come to bricks chamber. The petitioner called his son over phone, his son informed that his owner assigned work and after finishing the work, he would return home soon. However, the petitioner's son did not return to home until early morning and subsequently, his phone was switched off. Thereafter, one female employee of the bricks chamber informed the petitioner that the said Saravanan was lying in the bricks chamber with injuries. Immediately, 5/9
the petitioner rushed to the spot and discovered his son was murdered. Hence, the petitioner lodged a complaint and the same was registered in Crime No.171 of 2025 for the offence under Section 194(3)(iv) BNSS. However, final report has not been laid so far. 10.This Court notes that the FIR in the present case was registered on 10.08.2025 and the investigation has not culminated in a final report even after the lapse of the period contemplated under Section 193(2) BNSS. No material is placed before this Court to show that the reasons for delay were recorded in writing or that the same was intimated to the jurisdictional Magistrate as required under Section 193(3) BNSS.
11. Such unexplained delay defeats the very purpose of the reformed statutory architecture, which mandates expeditious investigation so that the criminal process becomes an instrument of justice rather than a prolonged ordeal.
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12. Accordingly, this Court is inclined to issue appropriate directions.
13. In the light of the above statutory mandate and taking into account the facts and submissions, the following directions are issued: (i) The second respondent police is directed to complete the investigation in Crime No.171 of 2025 and file a final report before the jurisdictional Court within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
(ii) If for any legally acceptable reason the investigation cannot be completed within the above period, the investigating officer shall strictly comply with Section 193(3) BNSS by recording reasons in writing and placing the same before the jurisdictional Magistrate without fail.
(iii) The petitioner is at liberty to work out his remedies in accordance with law if the above directions are not complied with. 7/9
Epilogue:
14. The BNSS, 2023 embodies a shift from a punitive colonial framework to a justice-centric democratic framework. Timely investigation is the first guarantee of fairness to both victim and accused. This Court expects diligent adherence to statutory timelines by the investigating agency.
15. The Criminal Original Petition is accordingly disposed of with the above directions.
19.01.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Rmk To 1.The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul, Dindigul District.
2.The Inspector of Police, Keeranur Police Station, Dindigul District.
3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.
Rmk Crl.O.P.(MD)No.786 of 2026 19.01.2026 9/9