BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 14.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR Crl.O.P.(MD)No.14010 of 2026 and Crl.M.P(MD)Nos.13595 & 13596 of 2026 Murugan ...Petitioner Vs State of Tamilnadu, Rep by Inspector of Police, Srirangam Police Station, Trichy District. In Crime No. 887/2021. ...Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS Act, to call for the records relating to the C.C.No.590 of 2026 pending on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate III, Srirangam, and quash the same as against the petitioner. For Petitioner : M/s.S.Vairamuthu For Respondent : M/s.G.Ganesh Kumar Government Advocate(crl.side) * * * * * 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ORDER The present petition has been filed by A3 in C.C.No.590 of 2026, on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.III, Srirangam, seeking to quash the charge sheet wherein the petitioner is charged with the offences under Sections 3(2)(a) and 3(2)(b) Immoral Traffic (Prevention Act), 1956. 2. According to the learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner, the maximum punishment that could be imposed as against the petitioner for the above said offence is two years. The charge sheet having been laid on 06.04.2026 is the beyond the period of limitation and therefore, the same has to be quashed. 3. I have considered the submissions made on either side and perused the materials available on record. 4. A perusal of the charge sheet reveals that the petitioner has been charged for the offences under Section 3(2)(a) and 3(2)(b) Immoral Traffic (Prevention Act), 1956. The FIR has been registered on 17.10.2021. The charge sheet has been laid before the jurisdictional Court only on 07.04.2026. As per Section 468(2)(c) of Cr.P.C., the charge sheet has been laid within a period of 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis three years. However, in the present case, charge sheet having been filed after a period of 4 years, it is clearly beyond the period of limitation, the Court cannot take cognizance. 5. In view of the above said facts, continuation of the criminal proceedings as against the petitioner herein is only be an abuse process of law. 6. In such circumstances, the charge sheet in C.C.No.590 of 2026, on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.III, Srirangam, stands quashed. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are also closed. 14.07.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet: Yes/No RJR To 1. The learned Judicial Magistrate III, Srirangam. 2. The Inspector of Police, Srirangam Police Station, Trichy District. 3. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis R.VIJAYAKUMAR , J. RJR Crl.OP.(MD)No.14010 of 2026 14.07.2026 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis