WP Crl. No. 1649 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 14-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN WP Crl. No. 1649 of 2026 Ananth Raman M-93/3, 7th Avenue, Besant Nagar, Chennai-600 090. ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Inspector of Police J-6, Thiruvanmiyur Police Station, Law and Order Wing, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600 041. ..Respondent(s) Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, directing the respondent police to issue a Non Traceable Certificate in respect of Petitioners mother Mrs. Rukkumani, who has been missing from 09-06-2023 and in connection with Crime No.762 of 2003 dated 07-07-2003 registered on the file of respondent Police Station, Chennai, by considering his representation dated 13-6-2026. For Petitioner(s): Mr. M.Maharaja For Respondent(s): Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu ORDER The Writ Petition has been filed seeking direction to the respondent police to issue a Non Traceable Certificate in respect of Petitioners mother Mrs. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1649 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 4 Rukkumani, who has been missing from 09-06-2023 and in connection with Crime No.762 of 2003 dated 07-07-2003 registered on the file of respondent Police Station, Chennai, by considering his representation dated 13-6-2026. 2. The Petitioner is the son of the missing woman, R. Rukmani, who has been missing since 09.06.2023. The Petitioner’s father lodged a complaint, which was registered as Crime No. 762 of 2023 on 07.07.2023 under the "Woman Missing" category. However, to date, the said FIR remains pending as the Petitioner’s mother has not been traced. In the meantime, the Petitioner’s father passed away. Therefore, to partition the properties and claim other benefits, the Petitioner now seeks a Non-Traceable Certificate for his mother. 3. The learned Government Counsel submits that although the FIR regarding the missing woman remains pending, a Non-Traceable Certificate cannot be issued, as such certificates are only applicable to documents and articles. The Petitioner ought to approach the competent Civil Court for a declaration of his mother's civil death, given that her whereabouts have remained unknown since 07.10.2023. 4. In view of the above, the respondent is directed to close the FIR registered in Crime No. 762 of 2023. The Petitioner is granted liberty to file a civil suit for a declaration of his mother’s civil death. The Civil Court is https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1649 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 4 directed not to insist upon a Non-Traceable Certificate as a prerequisite to entertain the suit for declaration of civil death. 5. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 14-07-2026 SMA To 1.The Inspector of Police J-6, Thiruvanmiyur Police Station, Law and Order Wing, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600 041. 2. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1649 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 4 G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J. SMA WP Crl. No. 1649 of 2026 14-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis