K.Mareeshwari, v. The State of Tamilnadu,

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed the present writ petition seeking transfer of the investigation relating to the brutal murder of a 17-year-old minor girl in Crime No.118 of 2026 on the file of the seventh respondent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of this Hon'ble Court to conduct a fair and impartial investigation. The petitioner has also sought for the appointment of a retired Judge of this Court to monitor the said case. Consequently, the petitioner seeks a direction to the State Government to pay appropriate compensation under the Victim Compensation Scheme.

¶2Today, when the matter was taken up for hearing, the third respondent filed a status report. It is revealed that, after completion of the investigation, the accused was arrested with the aid of CCTV footage and DNA analysis. It is further stated that, after examining as many as 461 suspects, the DNA sample matched with that of the accused, leading to his arrest. A final report has also been filed under Sections 103(1), 104 and 127 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, read with Sections 5(l), 5(h), 5(j)(iv) and 5(t) of the POCSO Act, read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act. In such circumstances, no further orders are necessary for transfer of the investigation.

¶3In view of the above, the learned Sessions Judge (FAC), Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under the POCSO Act, Tuticorin, is directed to expedite the trial and dispose of the same within the time frame mandated under the POCSO Act.

¶4It is stated that the State Government has already paid a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- as victim compensation to the victim's family.

¶5Considering the grave nature of the offence perpetrated against the minor girl, the Court is of the view that the State Government shall provide further compensation of Rs.10,00,000/- as a special case. Apart from this, the trial Court shall determine appropriate victim compensation at the time of pronouncement of judgment. The victim's family is at liberty to approach the trial Court for assisting the prosecution.

¶6The Investigating Officer submitted that a supplementary charge sheet will be filed within a period of fifteen days from today before the trial Court.

¶7Recording the said submission, the Investigating Officer is directed to file the supplementary charge sheet before the trial Court within the said period, without any further delay.

¶8It is also made clear that the State Government shall initiate disciplinary proceedings against the police officials who were negligent and derelict in their duties in not acting promptly upon the complaint given by the victim's family.

¶9It is further submitted by the learned Additional Advocate General-I that a proposal has already been made to appoint a Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trial. In view of the same, the State Government is directed to appoint a Special Public Prosecutor for conducting the trial within a period of one week.

¶10With the above observations and directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.]

02.04.2026

Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes am To

1.The Secretary to Government, Home Department, Chennai.

2.The Director General of Police (Incharge), Radhakrishnan Salai, Chennai.

3.The Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

4.The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Vilathikulam Sub Division, Thoothukudi District.

¶5The Director Central Bureau of Investigation, CGO Complex, New Delhi.

¶6The Joint Director (Head Zone), Central Bureau of Investigation, E.V.K. Sampath Building, 3rd Floor, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

¶7The Inspector of Police, Kulathur Police Station, Thoothukudi District. Copy To The Sessions Judge (FAC), Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under the POCSO Act, Tuticorin

N.SATHISH KUMAR, J. AND

M.JOTHIRAMAN, J. am W.P.(MD)No.7238 of 2026

02.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 02.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.P.(MD)No.7238 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)Nos.5938 & 5939 of 2026 K.Mareeshwari ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by the Secretary to Government, Home Department, Chennai. 2.The Director General of Police (Incharge), Radhakrishnan Salai, Chennai. 3.The Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi. 4.The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Vilathikulam Sub Division, Thoothukudi District. 5. The Director Central Bureau of Investigation, CGO Complex, New Delhi. 6. The Joint Director (Head Zone), Central Bureau of Investigation, E.V.K. Sampath Building, 3rd Floor, College Road, Chennai - 600 006. 7. The Inspector of Police, Kulathur Police Station, Thoothukudi District. 8.Kaleeswari 9.M.Subburaj 10.S.Vidhya ...Respondents (Respondents 8 to 10 were impleaded as per the order of this Court dated 02.04.2026) PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, a) To transfer the investigation relating to the brutal murder of a 17-year old minor girl in Crime No. 118 of 2026 on the file of the 7th Respondent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). b) To constitutes a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of this Honble Court to conduct a fair and impartial investigation and appoint a Retired Judge of this Honble court to monitor the above said case. c) To direct the State Government to pay appropriate compensation to the Victim Compensation Scheme. For Petitioner : Mr.E.Mareeskumar For R1 : Mr.M.Ajmal Khan Additional Advocate General-I Assisted by Mr.S.P.Maharajan Special Government Pleader For R2 to R4 & R7 : Mr.M.Ajmal Khan Additional Advocate General-I Assisted by Mr.R.M.Anbunithi Additional Public Prosecutor For R5 & R6 : Mr.M.Mohideen Basha Special Public Prosecutor For R8 to R10 : Mr.N.Dilip Kumar