CRL OP No. 7701 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 26-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR CRL OP No. 7701 of 2026 and Crl.M.P.Nos.5491 & 5492 of 2026 1. Jemeila@ Jameela 2. Lailla @ Laila 3. Shapna @ Shabna 4. Kashthiri @ Kasthuri 5. Samna @ Shamna 6. Nushriya @ Nusriya 7. Eashiy A @ Rasiya Kunjaputty 8. Rukkiya 9. Shabira @ Sabira 10.Jiboriya @ Juberaya Saidalavi 11.Shajitha @ sajitha 12.Gajitha @ Kadheeja 13.Sinath@Zeenath M 14.Samimaa @ Sameema 15.Sajitha 16.Rashyaa @ Rasiya 17.Fathima @ Pathimabeevi 18.Seenath 19.Sayjala @ Sajeela 20.Sakkina @ Sakeena 21.Sajitha 22.Gopinathan 23.Sowkath Ali @ Shoukathali 24.Abdulnazzar 25.Anish @ Anish Babu K 26.Mushthappa @ Musthata 27.Asraf @ Asharaf 28.Salim @ Saleem ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The state rep. by Inspector of police, Devala Police Station, The Nilgiris. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 7701 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 5 2. Sohba Village Administrative Officer, Devala No 1 Village, Devala, The Nilgiris. ..Respondent(s) Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of B.N.S.S., to call for the records pertaining to the proceedings in STC 431 of 2025, on the file of the Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur, The Nilgiris, and quash the same. For Petitioner(s): Mr.G.Jaisivaramaraj For Respondent(s): Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Addl. Public Prosecutor for R1 ORDER The present Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the proceedings in S.T.C.No.431 of 2025 pending on the file of the Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur, the Nilgiris. 2. The case of the prosecution is that on 08.12.2023, the petitioners unlawfully assembled, wrongfully restrained the public at Devala bazzar to stage the protest against the tar mixing plant (PRCC) in Devala. Therefore, a case in Crime No.247 of 2023 was registered by the respondent Police for the offences under Sections143 & 188 IPC. After completion of investigation, the final report has been filed and the same has been taken cognizance in S.T.C.No.431 of 2025 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur, the Nilgiris. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 7701 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 5 3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the facts of the instant case are similar to the facts of the cases in Jeevanandham and others vs. The Inspector of Police, Velayuthampalayam Police Station, Karur District reported in (2018 2 LW (Crl) 606) and Sri Raja vs Inspector of Police, Sivakasi Town Police Station Virudhunagar District and others (Crl.O.P(MD) No.7922 of 2019, decided on 30.08.2019), in which the proceedings were quashed. Hence, he prayed to quash the proceedings pending against the petitioners. 4. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent Police endorses the aforesaid submission. 5. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record. 6. In view of the above, this Court is of the opinion that the above said decisions would apply on all fours to the present case and that no useful purpose will be served by keeping the proceedings pending and is liable to be quashed. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 7701 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 5 7. Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition stands allowed and the proceedings in S.T.C.No.431 of 2025 pending on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur, the Nilgiris, is hereby quashed in entirety. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 26-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No VKR To 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Panthalur, the Nilgiris. 2.The Inspector of police, Devala Police Station, The Nilgiris. 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 7701 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 5 M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J. VKR CRL OP No. 7701 of 2026 26-03-2026 (1/2) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis