Mano @ Manavalan v. State Rep. by Inspector of Police

O R D E R This matter has been listed today under the caption "for being mentioned" at the instance of the learned counsel for the petitioner.

¶2It is submitted that the present case was disposed of by this Court on 19.02.2026 with a direction to the IV Additional District and Sessions Court, Ponneri. However, in paragraph 2 of the order dated

19.02.2026, the petitioner, who is arrayed as A1, has been inadvertently described as 6th accused (A6).

¶3In view of the above, the Registry is directed to carry out the necessary correction in paragraph 2 of the order dated 19.02.2026 by substituting the rank of the petitioner as "1st accused (A1)" in place of "6th accused (A6)" and thereafter, issue a fresh copy of the order.

13.03.2026 ham To

¶1The IV Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ponneri.

¶2The Inspector of Police, M-5, Ennore Police Station,

¶3The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA

, J.

ham

13.03.2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 19.02.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Mano @ Manavalan

... Petitioner -Vs-State Rep. by The Inspector of Police M-5 Ennore Police Station,

... Respondent Prayer : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of B.N.S.S, to direct the IV Additional District and Sessions Court at Ponneri to expedite the trial proceedings in S.C.No. 136 of 2024 in a time bound manner without further delay. For Petitioner : Ms.S.Thankira For Respondent : Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (Crl.side) O RDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking expeditious disposal of S.C.No. 136 of 2024 pending on the file of the learned IV Additional District and Sessions Court, Ponneri.

¶2The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner, who is arrayed as the 6th accused (A6), is currently facing trial and has been in continuous custody without being granted bail till date. He further submitted that the witnesses are available for examination. Hence, he prays for early disposal.

¶3Heard learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶4It is pertinent to state that a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, in the case of High Court Bar Association, Allahabad vs. State of Uttar Pradesh reported in (2024) 6 SCC 267, has held that the constitutional courts, in the ordinary course, should refrain from fixing a time-bound schedule for the disposal of cases pending before any other court. The relevant portion of the said decision for the sake of ready reference is reproduced below: "47.3. Constitutional courts, in the ordinary course, should refrain from fixing a time-bound schedule for the disposal of cases pending before any other courts. Constitutional courts may issue directions for the time-bound disposal of cases only in exceptional circumstances. The issue of prioritising the disposal of cases should be best left to the decision of the courts concerned where the cases are pending." (emphasis supplied by this Court).

¶5It has also been held in the aforesaid extracted portion that in exceptional circumstances, constitutional courts may issue directions for time bound disposal of cases.

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of this case and also considering that the petitioner is still in continuous custody, this Court directs the learned IV Additional District and Sessions Court, Ponneri, to dispose of the case in S.C.No. 136 of 2024, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶7With the above direction, this Criminal Original Petition stands disposed of.

19.02.2026 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking order rpl To

1.The IV Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ponneri

2.The Inspector of Police M-5 Ennore Police Station, A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA . J, rpl

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai.

19.02.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 13.03.2026 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Mano @ Manavalan ... Petitioner Vs. State represented by, The Inspector of Police, M-5, Ennore Police Station, ... Respondent For Petitioner : Mr. S.Thankira For Respondent : Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (Criminal Side)