C.Arunkumar v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Pavoorchatram

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 18.03.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR Crl.OP.(MD)No.5566 of 2026 and Crl.M.P.(MD)No.6012 of 2026 C.Arunkumar

...Petitioner/Accused No.36

Vs

1. The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by the Inspector of Police, Pavoorchatram Police Station, Tenkasi District.

(In Crime No.12 of 2022) ...1st Respondent/Complainant

2. M.Kavitha, The Sub Inspector of Police, Pavoorchathiram Police Station, Tenkasi District.

...2nd Respondent/Defacto Complainant PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS Act, 2023, to call for the records in FIR in Crime No.12 of 2022 on the file of the 1st respondent and quash the same in respect of the petitioner. For Petitioner : M/s.D.S.Haroon Rasheed For Respondents : Mr.A.Albert James Government Advocate(crl.side) for R1 1/4

ORDER

The present petition has been filed by the accused No.36 in crime No.12 of 2022 on the file of the first respondent police seeking to quash the F.I.R. wherein the petitioner is alleged to have committed offences under Sections 143, 269 and 270 of IPC.

2. A perusal of the F.I.R. reveals that the petitioner along with 44 other accused persons, have unlawfully assembled before the Pavoorchatram Bus Stand and raised slogans as against the State Government of Punjab for not providing adequate protection to the Hon'ble Prime Minister. The petitioner has been charged for violating the COVID-19 protocol.

3. Considering the fact that the petitioner and others have assembled only to express their dissent, in a democratic manner and especially when no violence has been happened pursuant to their unlawful assembly, this Court does not find any reason to direct the police officials to continue with the investigation.

2/4

4. In view of the above said facts, F.I.R. in crime No.12 of 2022, shall stand quashed not only with regard to the petitioner but also with regard to all other accused persons in the said crime number.

5. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands allowed not only in favour of the petitioner herein but also in favour of all other accused persons who are arrayed as the accused in crime No.12 of 2022 on the file of the first respondent Police station. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is also closed.

18.03.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No RJR To

1. The Inspector of Police, Pavoorchatram Police Station, Tenkasi District.

2. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

3/4

R.VIJAYAKUMAR , J.

RJR Crl.OP.(MD)No.5566 of 2026 18.03.2026 4/4