Natarajan v. The Regional Director

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 07.06.2023

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN Natarajan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Regional Director Reserve Bank of India, Regional Office, Chennai - 600 001.

2.The Branch Manager Canara Bank, A.Vellodu Branch, No.9/171, West Street, A.Vellodu, Dindigul District - 624 307 1/6

3.The Inspector of Police, Sanarpatti Police Station, Dindigul District - 624 304.

(Crime No.172 of 2010) ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to accept the petitioner's cash of Rs.70,000/- (140 numbers of Rs.500 currency notes) which were in the custody of Judicial Magistrate Court No.III, Dindigul, in connection with the case in S.C.No.58 of 2016 on the file of the Additional District and Sessions Court, Dindigul, and exchange the same with new currency notes for the same value, within a time framed fixed by this Court in the light of the order passed by the Division Bench of this Court in Suo motu W.P.(MD)No.21985 of 2016, dated 30.11.2016.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Mu.Muthu For Respondents : Mr.N.Muthu Vijayan - for R3 Additional Government Pleader Mr.P.Pethu Rajesh - for R2 2/6

O R D E R

The Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of a Mandamus seeking a direction to the second respondent / The Branch Manager, Canara Bank, A.Vellodu Branch, Dindigul District, to accept cash of Rs.70,000/- in 140 numbers of Rs.500/- currency notes which were in the custody of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.III, Dindigul, consequent to registration of FIR against the petitioner herein, who was arrayed as an accused, subsequently, in S.C.No.58 of 2016.

2. The Sessions case went on to trial and finally, the Additional District Judge, Dindigul District, by judgment, dated 27.01.2020, had acquitted the present petitioner herein. Unfortunately, directions were not given relating to exchange of Rs.500/- notes which had now become unusable consequent to directions issued by the Central Government.

3. This Court cannot issue any Mandamus to any of the respondents herein, but could only direct the petitioner to go back to the 3/6

Sessions Court/Additional District Judge, Dindigul District, who may pass necessary and appropriate orders depending on the circumstances of the case.

4. Giving that liberty to the petitioner herein, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs.

07.06.2023 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes/No NCC : Yes / No RM 4/6

Copy to :

The Additional District Judge, Dindigul District.

To 1.The Regional Director Reserve Bank of India, Regional Office, Chennai - 600 001.

2.The Branch Manager Canara Bank, A.Vellodu Branch, No.9/171, West Street, A.Vellodu, Dindigul District - 624 307 3.The Inspector of Police, Sanarpatti Police Station, Dindigul District - 624 304.

(Crime No.172 of 2010) 5/6

C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J.

RM 07.06.2023 6/6