CRL OP No. 17874 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 14-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY CRL OP No. 17874 of 2026 and CRL.MP.No.11935 of 2026 Mahendran S/o. K.Manoharan, No.26/2, Thiru.Vi.Ka.Street,, Kollampalayam, Erode. Also at No.26/1, Neer Maniyakar Street, Behind Gem Hospital, Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore. ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep by The Sub Inspector of Police, C-4, Rathinapuri Police Station, Coimbatore City. Crime No.25/2023 ..Respondent(s) Prayer: This Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to call for the records in Crime No.25 of 2023 on the file of the Rathinapuri Police Station. Coimbatore City and quash the same. For Petitioner(s): Mr.M.Shahjahan For Respondent(s): Mr.R.Rajasekaran Government Advocate (Criminal Side) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 17874 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 5 ORDER The Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the First Information Report in Crime No.25 of 2023, registered for the offences punishable under Section 8(c) read with Section 20(b) (ii) (B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, firstly, there are no specific allegations against the petitioner connecting him with the commission of the alleged offence. It was contended that no recovery has been effected from the petitioner and that the petitioner has been arrayed as an accused merely on the basis of the confession of the co-accused and certain amounts received through GPay, which, according to the petitioner, have no nexus with the alleged offence. Secondly, it was submitted that the First Information Report has remained pending for more than three and a half years without completion of the investigation, thereby causing grave prejudice to the petitioner. 3. Insofar as the first contention on merits is concerned, a perusal of the First Information Report discloses specific allegations against the petitioner, who has been arrayed as Accused No.11. It is alleged that the petitioner https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 17874 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 5 informed the other accused about the places where the contraband was to be supplied. In view of the said allegations, it cannot be held that there is absolutely no material even to justify the registration of the case against the petitioner. 4. With regard to the grievance that the investigation has remained pending for more than three and a half years, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) submitted that the investigation is at an advanced stage and that, if a short period of time is granted, the final report would be filed. 5. In view of the above, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of on the following terms: (i) The respondent police shall complete the investigation and file the final report within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a web copy of this order. (ii) It is open to the petitioner to challenge the final report, if so advised, or to raise all the available grounds before the trial Court, including the contention that there is no material against the petitioner. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 17874 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 5 6. It is made clear that the observations made in this order are confined only to the consideration of the present petition seeking quashing of the First Information Report and shall not influence the investigation or the trial on merits. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 14-07-2026 Neutral Citation: Yes/No av To 1. The Sub Inspector of Police, C-4, Rathinapuri Police Station, Coimbatore City. 2. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 17874 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 5 D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J. av CRL OP No. 17874 of 2026 and CRL.MP.No.11935 of 2026 14-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis