Samantha Shamrock Mawdsley v. The State Of Tamilnadu Rep. By

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 07.05.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Samantha Shamrock Mawdsley ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The State of Tamil Nadu rep. by its Superintendent of Police, Office of the District Superintendent of Police, 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alangudi Division, Alangudi, 3.The Inspector of Police, Alangudi Police Station, ... Respondents Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS Act @ 482 of Cr.P.C, praying this Court to direct the respondents 1 & 2 to take appropriate steps on the petitioner's representation dated 30.04.2026 and consequently, direct the third respondent not to harass her and her family members.

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For Petitioner : Mr.K.C.Maniyarasu For Respondents : Mr.S.Prakash Government Advocate (Crl.side) for R1 & R2

ORDER

This criminal original petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents 1 & 2 to take appropriate steps on the petitioner's representation dated 30.04.2026 and consequently, direct the third respondent not to harass her and her family members. 2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is working as Physical Education Teacher at St.Patrick's Academy at Puducherry. One Janani Devi who has permanent resident at Alangudi Taluk was staying with the petitioner. On believing her words, the petitioner has given huge amount to Janani Devi. After that, the said Janani Devi had repaid the amount through Gpay. While being so, on 19.04.2026, the petitioner received a call from the third respondent to appear for enquiry before him on 26.04.2026. The petitioner came to 2/6

aware that the said Janai Devi has lodged a false complaint as if she sent the said huge sum to the petitioner through Gpay. Since the petitioner refused with that false allegation, the third respondent police had threatened the petitioner and scolded her in filthy languages. Hence, the defacto complainant has filed this criminal original petition. 3.The learned Government Advocate (crl.side) appearing for the respondent police submits that petition enquiry is pending on the file of the respondent police.

4.Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) for the respondent police. 5.It is the grievance of the petitioner that the respondent police has been harassing her under the guise of an enquiry/investigation and hence, has invoked the inherent powers of this Court under Section 528 of BNSS Act.

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6. In this view of the matter, the respondents are directed to consider the representation of the petitioner and pass orders in accordance with law and follow the guidelines stipulated for preliminary enquiry or registration of FIR by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari Vs. Government of Uttar Pradesh and others [2014 (2) SCC (1)]. Since women are involved, while conducting the enquiry, preferably the woman police officer shall investigate the case. 7.With the above direction, the Criminal Original Petition stands disposed of.

07.05.2026 Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No rmi To 1.The Superintendent of Police, Office of the District Superintendent of Police, 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alangudi Division, Alangudi, Pudukkottai District.

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3.The Inspector of Police, Alangudi Police Station, 5/6

S.SRIMATHY, J.

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