Thangavel v. The Registrar General

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) This Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 and 2 to issue appropriate circulars/instructions to all Trial Courts to conduct day-to-day trials in cases relating to bonded labour and to ensure expeditious disposal within a reasonable time frame.

2.The main grievance of the writ petitioner is that despite the Government of Tamil Nadu in G.O.Ms.No.138, dated 28.09.2021 has issued Standard Operating Procedure to release and rescue of bonded labours, the criminal cases registered against the accused are still pending. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, 28 cases are still pending for more than ten years.

3.For better appreciation, the list of cases as set out by the petitioner, pending before the District Judiciary is re-produced hereunder: Sl. Court Name Case Number Year of FIR Status Years From FIR

¶1PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 10/2017 2016 Trial 10 years

¶2PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 107/2017 2016 Case disposed-acquittal 10 years

¶3PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 2016 Trial 10 years

¶4PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 2010 Trial 16 years

¶5PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 2013 Trial 13 years

¶6PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 2016 Part Heard 10 years

¶7PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 42/2016 2014 Trial 12 years

¶8PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 2012 Part Heard 14 years

¶9PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 2013 Trial 13 years

¶10PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 2010 Disposed-Conviction

16.04.2026 16 years

¶11PDJ, Chengalpet S.C.No. 2016 Trial 10 years

¶12District and Sessions Court S.C.No. 49/2022 2012 Trial 14 years

13. PDJ

Court, Kancheepuram S.C.No. 153/2024 2016 Trial 10 years

14. DM

cum

JM Pallipattu CC/19/2016 2011 Service Pending warrant 15 years

¶15JM, Tiruvottiyur CC/203/ 2015 2015 Evidence 11 years

¶16JM, Ambattur CC/303/ 2015 2015 Disposed

23.01.2026 11 years

¶17JM, Ambattur CC/360/ 2016 2016 Disposed

16.04.2026 10 years

¶18JM, Tirutani CC/52/ 2015 2015 Issue of service 11 years

¶19JM, Ponneri CC/150/ 2015 2015 Disposed

24.11.2025 11 years

¶20JM, Ponneri PRC/10/ 2018 2011 For committed 15 years

¶21PDJ and Session Judge Court SC/174/ 2018 2015 Disposed

06.10.2025 11 years

¶22PDJ and Session Judge Court SC/209/ 2018 2015 Disposed

06.10.2025 11 years

¶23PDJ, Tirupattur SC/22 /2025 2015 CMP Pending 11 years

¶24JM, Vandavasi CC/11 /2017 2013 Trial 13 years

¶25JM, Cheyyar CC/307/ 2016 2014 Evidence 12 years

¶26JM, Vandavasi CC/12

/ 2018 2016 Trial 10 years

¶27PDJ, Ranipet Spl.SC/ 119 /2025 2014 Issue of Service 12 years

¶28Fast Track Mahila Court SC

No. 169/2024 2015 Evidence 11 years

4.The learned Counsel for the petitioner further submits that the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Central Bureau of Investigation vs. Mir Usman @ Ara @ Mir Usman Ali [2025 INSC 1155 dated 22.09.2025], directed every High Courts to expedite the matter and indicated that the High Courts shall direct the administrative side to issue necessary circular to the District Judiciary. It was also indicated that all the High Courts need to constitute a Committee to discuss the issue very seriously for the benefit of their respective District Judiciary.

5.In view of the above, if the Committee is not constituted to monitor these type of cases, the Registry may bring to the notice of the Hon'ble Chief Justice for appropriate orders in light of the directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Central Bureau of Investigation vs. Mir Usman @ Ara @ Mir Usman Ali [2025 INSC 1155 dated

22.09.2025] to deal with the pending criminal cases.

6.With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.]

09.06.2026

Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes ta To

1.The Registrar General, Madras High Court, Chennai-600 104.

2.The Registrar (Judicial), Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai-625 023.

3.The Commissioner of Labour, Officer of the Commissioner of Labour, Labour Officer's Quarters, B-Block, 6th Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai-600 040.

4.The Director of Prosecution, Government of Tamil Nadu, No.5, Kamaraj Salai, Chennai-600 005.

N.SATHISH KUMAR, J. AND

M.JOTHIRAMAN, J. ta W.P.(MD)No.14692 of 2026

09.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.06.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.P.(MD)No.14692 of 2026 Thangavel ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Registrar General, Madras High Court, Chennai-600 104. 2.The Registrar (Judicial), Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai-625 023. 3.The Commissioner of Labour, Officer of the Commissioner of Labour, Labour Officer's Quarters, B-Block, 6th Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai-600 040. 4.The Director of Prosecution, Government of Tamil Nadu, No.5, Kamaraj Salai, Chennai-600 005. ...Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 and 2 to issue a circular to all trial Courts mandating day-to-day trial and ensuring the speedy disposal of all bonded labour cases presently pending trial in light of directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the Central Bureau of Investigation vs. Mir Usman @ Ara @ Mir Usman Ali (reported in 2025 INSC 1155) dated 22.09.2025 and consequently direct the respondents 3 and 4 to take appropriate steps to complete the trials of bonded labour cases within a prescribed timeline, considering that timely conclusion of trials is essential for the rehabilitation of victims. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Karunanidhi For Respondents : Mr.N.Mohideen Basha (R1 & R2) Standing Counsel Mr.S.Venkatesh (R3 & R4) Counsel for the State