Pugalbalan v. Thiru. Manikanda Ganesh

ORDER Alleging that the order of this Court dated 12.01.2026 has not been complied with, the present contempt has been filed.

¶2The petitioner has filed a writ petition in WP.Crl.(MD) No.1784 of 2025 seeking direction to direct the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 08.02.2026 and to consequently initiate suitable proceedings against the respondents 3 to 9 in accordance with law.

¶3When the matter was listed before this Court on 12.01.2026, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 in WP.Crl.(MD) No.1784 of 2025 had submitted that based on the complaint given by the petitioner, current paper enquiry was conducted in C.No.8642/Cop/visitors/2024 dated 16.12.2024 and it was submitted that enquiry was closed since the dispute between the parties was found to be civil in nature.

¶4Recording the above said submission made by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor, this Court closed the writ petition(Crl), with a direction to the respondent police to serve the closure report on the petitioner and therewith liberty was also granted to the petitioner to challenge the closure report in the manner known to law. Since the respondents have not served the closure report, the petitioner has sent a representation dated 08.02.2024, seeking for furnishing a copy of the closure report. Despite the receipt of the same, the respondent police did not serve the closure report and therefore, the petitioner has sent a legal notice dated 24.03.2026 to the second respondent calling upon them to serve a copy of the closure report. There was no reply to the legal notice, hence, the present contempt petition has been filed alleging non compliance of the order of this Court.

¶5The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the respondent has disobeyed the order of this Court and is therefore liable to be punished.

¶6Mr. R. Ranjith Kumar, Inspector of Police, E2, Royapettah Police Station, Chennai, who was the then Inspector of Police, F-2, Egmore Police Station, Chennai and Mr. Manikanda Ganesh, the present Inspector of Police, E2, Royapettah Police Station, Chennai are both present before this Court.

¶7The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent would submit that the respondent has got high regards for the orders of this Court. She would further submit that though this Court has directed the said Mr. R. Ranjith Kumar to serve a copy of the closure report, no time frame was fixed by this Court. However, in the event that this Court feels that a contempt has been been committed, the said Mr. R. Ranjith Kumar expresses his sincere and unconditional apology to this Court.

¶8She would further submit that the order copy was served on the said Mr. R. Ranjith Kumar on 26.02.2026 and since he was continuously engaged in various duties including the pre-poll meetings conducted by his superior officers, he was unable to serve the closure report on the petitioner in time. Further, owing to his said continuous engagement in other official commitments, he was also not notified about the petitioner's notice by the police officials in charge of the Tapal Section. That being so, prior to the polls, he was transferred to the E2, Royapettah Police Station, Chennai. Thereafter, the said Mr. Manikanda Ganesh, took charge of the E2, Royapettah Police Station, Chennai and since he was also continuously engaged in the election duties conferred upon him, there has been a delay in the service of the copy of the closure report to the petitioner. She would lastly, reiterate that now the order of this court has been complied with and the closure report has been duly served on the petitioner.

¶9When the matter was taken up today, the said Mr. R. Ranjith Kumar and the said Mr. Manikanda Ganesh both express their sincere and unconditional apology and thereby pray for the pardon of this Court.

¶10Taking into consideration that the order of this court has now been now complied with, the instant contempt petition stands closed. However, this Court expresses its displeasure with the said Mr. R. Ranjith Kumar and the said Mr. Manikanda Ganesh for their delayed compliance and further sternly directs them to hereinafter strictly ensure compliance of the orders of this Court in future.

02.07.2026 Index: Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Speaking order/Non-speaking Order cad To Manikanda Ganesh The Inspector of Police, F-2, Egmore Police Station, Chennai-600 007

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J. cad Cont.P.No.1847 of 2026 in W.P.Crl.No.1784 of 2025

02.07.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 02.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Cont.P.No.1847 of 2026 in W.P.Crl.No.1784 of 2025 (Through video conferencing) Pugalbalan ... Petitioner Vs Manikanda Ganesh The Inspector of Police, F-2, Egmore Police Station, Chennai-600 007 ... Respondent Prayer: Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971, to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondent for the non-implementation of the directions issued by this Court in WP(Crl.)No.1784 of 2025 dated 12.01.2026. For Petitioner : Mrs.D.Bharathy For Respondent : Mrs. R.S. Indira Government Advocate(Crl.Side)