WP Crl. No. 1728 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 21-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN WP Crl. No. 1728 of 2026 and WPMP Crl. No. 610 of 2026 Samuel Stephens S/o.Rajah D Stephens, President, M/s. New Life World Mission Trust, Chairman M/s. India Gospel League, Residing at Sharon, No.18, Tanmag Road, Vinayagampatty, Kondappanayakkanpatty Village, Kannankurichi Post, Salem District. ..Petitioner Vs 1. The District Collector Salem District, Salem. 2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Salem Division, Salem. 3. The Inspector of Police, Attayampatti Police Station, Salem District. 4. Prem Abel @ Mani @ Jayaraman ..Respondents https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1728 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 4 Prayer : Writ Petition (Criminal) filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus or order or direction in the nature of Writ or any other appropriate writ directing the 2nd respondent to initiate Criminal Proceedings against the 4th respondent u/s.164 of BNSS Act, 2023. For Petitioner: Mr.T.P.Prabakaran For Respondents: Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) for R1 to R3 ORDER This Writ Petition (Criminal) has been filed seeking a direction to the second respondent to initiate criminal proceedings against the fourth respondent under Section 164 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. 2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondents 1 to 3. Perused the materials available on record. 3. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the third respondent is directed to conduct an enquiry on the complaint lodged by the petitioner, after issuing notice to the petitioner and the fourth respondent herein, and dispose of the same on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that, during the course of enquiry, if any material is available to initiate the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1728 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 4 proceedings under Section 164 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the third respondent is at liberty to submit an appropriate report before the second respondent for taking action in accordance with law. 4. With the above direction, this Writ Petition (Criminal) stands disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs. 21-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No LPP To 1.The District Collector Salem District, Salem. 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Salem Division, Salem. 3.The Inspector of Police, Attayampatti Police Station, Salem District. 4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 1728 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 4 G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN J. LPP WP Crl. No. 1728 of 2026 and WPMP Crl. No. 610 of 2026 21-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis