Crl.OP(MD) No.13644 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 08.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR Crl.OP.(MD)No.13644 of 2026 and Crl.M.P(MD) No.13319 of 2026 Velmurugan ... Petitioner Vs State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Palayamkottai Police Station, Tirunelveli District. (Crime No. 641 of 2025). ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS Act, to call for the records and quash the case in Crime No. 641 of 2025, pending on the file of the respondent police by allowing this Criminal Original Petition. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Niresh Kumar For Respondent : Mr.G.Ganesh Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.OP(MD) No.13644 of 2026 ORDER The present petition has been filed by A8 in Cr.No.641 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police seeking to quash the FIR, wherein, the petitioner along with 92 others are alleged to have committed offences under Sections 189(2), 126(2) and 292 of BNS. 2.Perusal of the FIR reveals that against the arrest of the State leader of a political party, the petitioner and others are said to have conducted a protest by blocking the road at about 09:30 PM on 04.12.2025 and they were arrested and dispersed at about 11:00 PM. 3.According to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, in view of the arrest of the State Leader at Tirupurankundram, they have protested in the street and such a democratic protest by a political party cannot be considered to be a criminal offence. 4.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and perused the materials available on record. 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.OP(MD) No.13644 of 2026 5.As could be seen from the FIR, the only allegation as against the petitioner is that they have unlawfully assembled on the road and protested as against the arrest of the of their State leader. The same cannot be considered to be a criminal offence, especially when no damage has been caused to the public property. The other accused persons in Crime No.641 of 2025 also stand on the same footing. 6.In view of the above said facts, the FIR in Cr.No.641 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police stands quashed not only as against the petitioner but also against the other accused persons. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 08.07.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No PNM To 1.The Inspector of Police, Palayamkottai Police Station, Tirunelveli District. 2.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.OP(MD) No.13644 of 2026 R.VIJAYAKUMAR , J. PNM ORDER MADE IN Crl.OP.(MD)No.13644 of 2026 and Crl.M.P(MD) No.13319 of 2026 08.07.2026 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis