Gopinath v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Natham

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 16.12.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI and Crl.M.P.(MD)No.20021 of 2025 Gopinath ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Inspector of Police, Natham Police Station, Dindigul.

(Crime No.472 of 2023) 2.Manimaran ... Respondents PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS, to call for the entire records to the FIR in Crime No.472 of 2023 on the file of the first respondent police and quash the same as illegal. For Petitioner : Ms.P.Dhanam, Advocate For R1 : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar, Government Advocate (Criminal Side) 1/4

ORDER

Seeking to quash the impugned First Information Report in Crime No.472 of 2023 on the file of the first respondent police, this Criminal Original Petition has been filed.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the said crime was registered for the offence under Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959, on 15.09.2023. The allegation in the FIR is that the petitioner displayed banners and posters around Natham Roundana without prior permission from the Government authorities. The limitation for filing the final report for the said offence is one year under Section 468(2) of the Cr.P.C. and that no final report has been filed. Now, after the passage of two years, the first respondent cannot file a final report in view of the bar under Section 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and on that ground, the First Information Report is liable to be quashed. 2/4

4. Considering the fact that no final report has been filed within the period of limitation, I am not hesitant to quash the First Information Report.

5. Accordingly, the First Information Report in Crime No.472 of 2023 on the file of the first respondent police is hereby quashed, and this Criminal Original Petition is allowed. Consequently, the connected Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

16.12.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No mkn To 1.The Inspector of Police, Natham Police Station, Dindigul.

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

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

mkn and Crl.M.P.(MD)No.20021 of 2025 16.12.2025 4/4