Sadhan Prabhakaran v. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep Through, the Sub Inspector of Police,

O R D E R This criminal original petition has been filed seeking to quash the proceedings pending against the petitioner in STC.No.104 of 2026, on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.1, Ramanathapuram.

¶2Based on a complaint lodged by the 2nd respondent/de facto complainant alleging that on 20.03.2021, the petitioner along with others, who are the members of a political party, assembled unlawfully without obtaining prior permission and were canvassing using loudspeakers and party symbols and flags, at S.Andakudi village after the time prescribed by the Election Commission fixed for canvassing, a case in Crime No.77 of 2021 was registered on 21.03.2021 as against the petitioner and others for the offences under Sections 4AA(1b) and 4AA(4) of the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1956 and Section 171(C) of IPC. Following the completion of the investigation, the final report was filed on

08.04.2023 before the Judicial Magistrate, Paramakudi, for the aforesaid offences. The case was subsequently transferred to the file of the Judicial Magistrate I, Ramanathapuram, and taken on file as STC No. 104 of 2026, which is now sought to be quashed.

¶3Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the maximum punishment prescribed for the aforesaid offences is imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both. In respect of the aforesaid offences, the investigation ought to have been completed and the final report should have been filed within one year from the date of registration of the FIR, as mandated under Section 468 Cr.P.C. Therefore, there is a clear bar for taking cognizance if it is filed beyond one year. However, in this case, the final report was filed only in the year 2023, which is beyond the period of limitation. Admittedly, in this case, no application has been filed seeking condonation of delay in filing the final report. Hence, the continuation of the proceedings against the petitioner is an abuse of process of law. Therefore, he prayed to quash the impugned proceedings pending against the petitioner and other accused persons.

¶4Learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the 1st respondent-police, on instructions, submitted that based on the complaint given by the 2nd respondent, the present case came to be registered on

21.03.2021. He further fairly submitted that the final report was filed only on 08.04.2023, which is after the limitation period prescribed under Section 468 of Cr.P.C.

¶5Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶6For the abovesaid punishment, the final report ought to have been filed within one year from the date of registration of the FIR, as per Section 468(2)(b) of Cr.P.C. However, concededly the final report has not been filed within the period of one year since the registration of the FIR and therefore, cognizance ought not to have been taken.

¶7In view of the above, this Court is of the opinion that no useful purpose would be served by keeping the impugned proceedings pending and the same is liable to be quashed.

¶8Accordingly, this criminal original petition stands allowed and the impugned proceedings pending in STC.No.104 of 2026, on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.I, Ramanathapuram, is hereby quashed in entirety. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

02.04.2026 SHA To:

¶1The Judicial Magistrate No.I, Ramanathapuram.

¶2The Sub Inspector of Police, Emaneeswaram Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

¶3The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. Crl.O.P.(MD)oNo.6328oofo2026 oA.D.JAGADISHoCHANDIRAoo,oJo. SHA Crl.O.P.(MD)oNo.6328oofo2026 and Crl.M.P.(MD)oNos.6857o&o6858oofo2026

02.04.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 02.04.2026 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA and Crl.M.P.(MD) Nos.6857 & 6858 of 2026 Sadhan Prabhakaran ...Petitioners Vs. 1. The State Tamil Nadu rep. through The Sub Inspector of Police, Emaneeswaram Police Station, Ramanathapuram District. 2. P.Muthukumar, Special Tahsildar, (City Tax Plan), Taluk Office, Paramakudi, 209, Paramakudi Assembly Constituency, Flying Squad (A1). (Crime No.77 of 2021) ...Respondents Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita/Section 482 Cr.P.C., to call for the records in STC.No.104 of 2026 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Ramanathapuram and quash the same as against the petitioner. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Muthusamy For Respondents : Mr.S.Udayakumar, GA(Crl. Side), for R1