Crl.O.P.(MD).No.13319 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.13319 of 2026 Jeyarani ... Petitioner/ Not Known Vs 1. The State Represented by The Sub Inspector of Police, Karimedu Police Station, Madurai District. In Crime No.0960 of 2016 2. Vetrivel S/o. Not Known A.T.M. Officer (TATA CPSL Chennai), Plot No.54, Thirumalai Extn Kovil Papakudi, Madurai District. ... Respondents/ Defacto Complainants PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to call for the records from the first respondent police in Crime No. 0960 of 2016 dated 21.12.2016 and quash the same as devoid of merits against the petitioner. For Petitioner : Mr.Haja Mohideen A For R1 : Mr.G.Ganesh Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.(MD).No.13319 of 2026 ORDER The present Criminal Original Petition has been filed by A3 in Crime No.960 of 2016 on the file of the first respondent police, wherein the petitioner and 9 other accused are said to have committed offence under Sections 143 and 188 of IPC r/w Section 4(1) of Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959. 2. A perusal of the FIR reveals that the petitioner and 9 others, who belong to a political party, have assembled before an ATM centre and raised slogans as against the central government for not filling up the ATM machine with money. This is said to have happened on 21.12.2016 at about 12 noon during the period of demonetization. 3. According to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, as a member of a political party, they have assembled and raised slogans only in the interest of general public and it was a democratic protest. 4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and perused 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.(MD).No.13319 of 2026 the materials available on record. 5. The incident that is narrated above would clearly indicate that the petitioner and others, who belong to a political party, have assembled before an ATM and raised slogans as against the central government for not filling the ATM with money. This has happened during the demonetization period. Therefore, no purpose would be served in continuing the criminal prosecution as against the petitioner. The other petitioners are also stand on the same footing. 6. In view of the above said facts, FIR in Crime No.960 of 2016 on the file of the first respondent police is hereby quashed not only as against the petitioner but also against the other accused persons in Crime No.960 of 2016 on the file of the first respondent herein. 7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed. 06.07.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.(MD).No.13319 of 2026 To 1. The Sub Inspector of Police, Karimedu Police Station, Madurai District. 2. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.(MD).No.13319 of 2026 R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J. ebsi Crl.O.P(MD)No.13319 of 2026 06.07.2026 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis