Crl. O.P.(MD) No.13417 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR Crl.O.P(MD).No.13417 of 2026 and Crl.M.P(MD)Nos.13107 and 13110 of 2026 1. Ramamoorthi 2. Premkumar 3. Raja @ Dharmendran 4. Nagaraj 5. Hariharan 6. Neelavathi 7. Savithri 8. Vanakodi 9. Pavalakodi ... Petitioners Vs 1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep., by the Inspector of Police, Theni Police Station, Theni District. (Crime No. 09 of 2021) 2. Senthilkumar ... Respondents 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl. O.P.(MD) No.13417 of 2026 PRAYER: To call for the records in C.C.No.549 of 2022 on the file of the Learned Judicial Magistrate, Theni and QUASH the same and pass such further or other orders. For petitioner : Mr.V.Maharajan For R1 : Mr.P.Samuel Gunasingh Government Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER The present criminal original petition has been filed by the accused persons in C.C.No.549 of 2022, on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Theni and quash the charge sheet, wherein they are charged with the offences under Sections 143, 269 and 353 of IPC. 2. The petitioners who belong to a particular association had assembled at about 11.00 a.m., on 04.01.2021 and raised slogans as against the Government for providing community certificate to them and to conduct a census based upon the community basis. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl. O.P.(MD) No.13417 of 2026 3. According to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, it was only a democratic protest and no one was inconvenienced or any damage was caused to the public property. 4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and perused the material records of the case. 5. A perusal of the charge sheet reveals that the petitioners who belong to an association had protested against the Government to provide community certificate and to conduct the census on community basis during covid-19 pandemic. There is no allegation whatsoever that the petitioners were affected with COVID-19. 6. In such circumstances, continuation of the criminal proceedings against the petitioners herein would only be an abuse of process of law. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl. O.P.(MD) No.13417 of 2026 7. Considering the above said facts, the charge sheet in C.C.No.549 of 2022, on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Theni stands quashed. Accordingly, the criminal original petition stands allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 06.07.2026 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No rgm 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl. O.P.(MD) No.13417 of 2026 To: 1. The Inspector of Police, Theni Police Station, Theni District. (Crime No. 09 of 2021) 2. The Judicial Magistrate, Theni. 3. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl. O.P.(MD) No.13417 of 2026 R.VIJAYAKUMAR , J. rgm Crl.O.P(MD).No.13417 of 2026 and Crl.M.P(MD)Nos.13107 and 13110 of 2026 06.07.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis