Thangavel v. The Registrar General
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.06.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.P.(MD)No.14692 of 2026 Thangavel ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Registrar General, Madras High Court, Chennai-600 104.
2.The Registrar (Judicial), Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai-625 023.
3.The Commissioner of Labour, Officer of the Commissioner of Labour, Labour Officer's Quarters, B-Block, 6th Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai-600 040.
4.The Director of Prosecution, Government of Tamil Nadu, No.5, Kamaraj Salai, Chennai-600 005.
...Respondents
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PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 and 2 to issue a circular to all trial Courts mandating day-to-day trial and ensuring the speedy disposal of all bonded labour cases presently pending trial in light of directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the Central Bureau of Investigation vs. Mir Usman @ Ara @ Mir Usman Ali (reported in 2025 INSC 1155) dated 22.09.2025 and consequently direct the respondents 3 and 4 to take appropriate steps to complete the trials of bonded labour cases within a prescribed timeline, considering that timely conclusion of trials is essential for the rehabilitation of victims. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Karunanidhi For Respondents : Mr.N.Mohideen Basha (R1 & R2) Standing Counsel Mr.S.Venkatesh (R3 & R4) Counsel for the State
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) This Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 and 2 to issue appropriate circulars/instructions to all Trial Courts to conduct day-to-day trials in cases relating to bonded labour and to ensure expeditious disposal within a reasonable time frame. 2/7
2.The main grievance of the writ petitioner is that despite the Government of Tamil Nadu in G.O.Ms.No.138, dated 28.09.2021 has issued Standard Operating Procedure to release and rescue of bonded labours, the criminal cases registered against the accused are still pending. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, 28 cases are still pending for more than ten years.
3.For better appreciation, the list of cases as set out by the petitioner, pending before the District Judiciary is re-produced hereunder:
Sl.
No Court Name Case Number Year of FIR Status Years From FIR 1.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
10/2017 Trial 10 years 2.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
107/2017 Case disposedacquittal 10 years 3.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
113/17 Trial 10 years 4.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
139/15 Trial 16 years 5.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
26/16 Trial 13 years 6.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
283/17 Part Heard 10 years 3/7
7.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
42/2016 Trial 12 years 8.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
55/15 Part Heard 14 years 9.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
56/18 Trial 13 years 10.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
60/10 DisposedConviction 16.04.2026 16 years 11.
PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No.
88/17 Trial 10 years 12.
District and Sessions Court S.C.No.
49/2022 Trial 14 years 13.
PDJ Court, Kancheepuram S.C.No.
153/2024 Trial 10 years 14.
DM cum JM Pallipattu CC/19/2016 Service Pending warrant 15 years 15.
JM, Tiruvottiyur CC/203/ Evidence 11 years 16.
JM, Ambattur CC/303/ Disposed 23.01.2026 11 years 17.
JM, Ambattur CC/360/ Disposed 16.04.2026 10 years 18.
JM, Tirutani CC/52/ 2015 2015 Issue of service 11 years 19.
JM, Ponneri CC/150/ Disposed 11 years 24.11.2025 20.
JM, Ponneri PRC/10/ For committed 15 years 21.
PDJ and Session Judge Court SC/174/ Disposed 06.10.2025 11 years 22.
PDJ and Session Judge Court SC/209/ Disposed 06.10.2025 11 years 23.
PDJ, Tirupattur SC/22 /2025 CMP Pending 11 years 24.
JM, Vandavasi CC/11 /2017 Trial 13 years 25.
JM, Cheyyar CC/307/ Evidence 12 years 4/7
26.
JM, Vandavasi CC/12 / Trial 10 years 27.
PDJ, Ranipet Spl.SC/ 119 /2025 Issue of Service 12 years 28.
Fast Track Mahila Court SC No.
169/2024 Evidence 11 years 4.The learned Counsel for the petitioner further submits that the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Central Bureau of Investigation vs. Mir Usman @ Ara @ Mir Usman Ali [2025 INSC 1155 dated 22.09.2025], directed every High Courts to expedite the matter and indicated that the High Courts shall direct the administrative side to issue necessary circular to the District Judiciary. It was also indicated that all the High Courts need to constitute a Committee to discuss the issue very seriously for the benefit of their respective District Judiciary.
5.In view of the above, if the Committee is not constituted to monitor these type of cases, the Registry may bring to the notice of the Hon'ble Chief Justice for appropriate orders in light of the directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Central Bureau of Investigation vs. Mir Usman @ Ara @ Mir Usman Ali [2025 INSC 1155 dated 22.09.2025] to deal with the pending criminal cases. 5/7
6.With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
[N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] 09.06.2026 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes ta To 1.The Registrar General, Madras High Court, Chennai-600 104.
2.The Registrar (Judicial), Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai-625 023.
3.The Commissioner of Labour, Officer of the Commissioner of Labour, Labour Officer's Quarters, B-Block, 6th Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai-600 040.
4.The Director of Prosecution, Government of Tamil Nadu, No.5, Kamaraj Salai, Chennai-600 005.
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N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.
AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.
ta W.P.(MD)No.14692 of 2026 09.06.2026 7/7