Anandhababu v. The State Rep By, the Sub-Inspector of Police

ORDER The prayer in this Criminal Original Petition is to quash the final report in S.T.C.No.1405 of 2025 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I,

¶2Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent, the gravamen of the allegations in this case is that, on 10.04.2020, when the lockdown imposed by the Government of India with reference to COVID-19 pandemic, was in force, without following the social distancing norm, seven accused joined together and were playing cards, which is known as Mangatha game by keeping money as bet. In view of the said allegations, the petitioners are sought to be prosecuted for the offence under Section 270 of the IPC and under Section 12 of the Tamil Nadu Gaming Act.

¶3It is now clear that with reference to the not adhering to the social distancing norm and the prosecution in respect thereof is governed by G.O.(Ms) No.176, dated 05.04.2022, wherein the Government has decided to drop all the cases which arose for similar violations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Page No.3 of 4

¶4In view thereof, the prosecution as far as Section 12 of the Gaming Act is concerned, even though charge it is stated that the petitioners were playing cards by keeping money, absolutely no details were given as to the money recovered or any further proof is contained both in the FIR as well as the final report. The allegation is vague in nature. No useful purpose will be served in continuing the prosecution. Further, considering the nature of the offence that happened during the Covid-19 pandemic any further continuation of the prosecution will also be oppressive on the accused.

¶5For all the above reasons, I am inclined to allow this petition. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed and the case in S.T.C.No.1405 of 2025 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate No.1, Kancheepuram is quashed in its entirety. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 30-06-2026 sp Page No.4 of 4 D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY J. sp To

1.The Judicial Magistrate No.I,

2.The Sub-Inspector of Police, Sivakanchi Police Station,

3.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. AND CRL MP No. 11090 OF 2026 30-06-2026

Page No.1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 30-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY AND CRL MP No. 11090 OF 2026 1. Anandhababu 2. Vijay 3. Prakash 4. Sathishkumar 5. Dhinakaran 6. Magesh ..Petitioners Vs The State Rep. By, The Sub-Inspector Of Police, Sivakanchi Police Station, ..Respondent Prayer : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023 to call for the records in STC No.1405 of 2025 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Kancheepuram. For Petitioners: Mr.M.Navaneethakrishnan For Respondent: Mr.M.Mohamed Riyaz Government Advocate (Crl.Side) ***** Page No.2 of 4