Crl.O.P(MD) No.14586 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR Crl.O.P(MD) No.14586 of 2026 and Crl.M.P(MD) No.14139 of 2026 T.Ramasamy ... Petitioner/ Accused No.5 Vs 1. State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by The Inspector of Police, Palani Town Police Station, Palani, Dindigul District. (Crime No.366 of 2024) ... 1st Respondent/ Complainant 2.Sasikumar S/o.Maruthakali Village Administrative Officer, Sivagiripatti, Palani, Dindigul District. .... 2nd Respondent/Defacto Complainant PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to call for the records of the impugned FIR in Crime No.366 of 2024 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Palani Town Police Station, Palani, Dindigul District, dated 22.06.2024 and quash the same as illegal in so far as the petitioner is concerned. 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P(MD) No.14586 of 2026 For Petitioner : Mr.Ananth C.Rajesh For R1 : Mr.G.Ganesh Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER The present Criminal Original Petition has been filed by A5 in Crime No.366 of 2024 on the file of the first respondent police seeking to quash the FIR, wherein the petitioner is charged for the offences under Sections 143, 291, 292, 341 and 353 of IPC. 2. A perusal of the FIR reveals that the petitioner along with 173 persons belonging to a political party have unlawfully assembled in Palani - Dindigul byepass road and they were distributing pamphlets as against the ruling party for not initiating proper action as against the sale of illicit arrack in Kallakurichi district. 3. According to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, the petitioner belonging to a political party and had only expressed his protest in a democratic manner and the same cannot be considered to be an offence. 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P(MD) No.14586 of 2026 4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and perused the materials available on record. 5. It could be seen from the averments in the FIR, the petitioner along with 173 persons have protested in a democratic manner, questioning the inaction on the part of the ruling party in not initiating action as against the sale of illicit arrack in a particular district. There is no allegation of any inconvenience to the general public or damage to public property. In such circumstances, the same cannot be considered to be a criminal offence. The other accused persons who have not filed an application for quashing also stand on the same footing. 6. In view of the above said facts, the FIR in Crime No.366 of 2024 on the file of the first respondent police is hereby quashed, not only insofar as the petitioner is concerned, but also in respect of the other accused persons. 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P(MD) No.14586 of 2026 7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed. Consequently connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 17.07.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi To 1. The Inspector of Police, Palani Town Police Station, Palani, Dindigul 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.14586 of 2026 R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J. ebsi Crl.O.P(MD) No.14586 of 2026 17.07.2026 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis