WP CRL.(MD)/5798/2026 of Ragupathi Vs The Director General of Poli on 23 October 2026

ORDER

The relief sought for in this writ petition is to direct the respondents 4 and 5 to preserve their CCTV footage from 8.00 p.m. on 20.09.2026 till 6.00 a.m. on 23.09.2026, by considering the petitioner’s representation dated 28.09.2026.

2. On 20.09.2026, based on the secret information that prostitution is being run in the 5 Star Hotel, the Police officials have conducted a raid and apprehended one Sundhar, Ganesan and Jeevantham, who are the

WP Crl.(MD) No. 5798 of 2026 employees of the Bar and remanded them to judicial custody. During their statement, they have confessed against the petitioner, based on which, the petitioner has been implicated as an accused in Cr.No.554 of 2026.

3. The petitioner claims that due to political motive, the 3rd respondent police foisted this case against him. He further claims that he is having a valid licence for running FLS bar and the same is being run in a proper manner. Further, he is the lease holder of the said property and he had rented the 2nd floor of the property to the 4th accused, namely, Manikandan, who is running the said lodge. Therefore, he is in no way connected with the alleged occurrence. According to the petitioner, the 3rd respondent police illegally detained the aforesaid persons for a period of three days and harassed them to give statement against him. In order to prove the same, the petitioner seeks a direction to preserve the CCTV footage of the respondents Police Station.

4. It is submitted that the petitioner has already approached this Court in W.P.(MD)No.5569 of 2026 and this Court, by order dated 12.10.2026, directed the respondent 3 to preserve the CCTV footage recorded at their Police Station from 8.00 p.m. on 20.09.2026 to 6.00 a.m.

WP Crl.(MD) No. 5798 of 2026 on 23.09.2026.

5. Mr.V.Shathurthi Raja, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) takes notice for the respondents 1 to 5.

6. By consent of both parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal.

7. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) submits that the allegation is only against the 3rd respondent Police and the CCTV footage of the 3rd respondent Police Station was already preserved, as per the direction of this Court in W.P.(MD)No.5569 of 2026 as mentioned above. Therefore, the learned Government Advocate submits this Court may pass similar order in this writ petition.

8. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed with a direction to the respondents 4 and 5 to preserve the CCTV footage recorded at their respective Police Station from 8.00 p.m. on 20.09.2026 to 06.00 a.m. on 23.09.2026. The respondents 4 and 5 shall ensure that the said footage is not tampered with, altered, deleted or otherwise interfered with and shall

WP Crl.(MD) No. 5798 of 2026 preserve the same in accordance with law. The respondents 4 and 5 shall issue necessary instructions to the officials concerned to ensure compliance with the above directions. 23-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No ogy To

1. The Director General of Police, Mylopore, Chennai.

2. The Superintendent of Police Thanjavur District.

3. The Inspector Of Police, Kumbakonam West Police Station, Thanjavur District.

4. The Inspector Of Police, Kumbakonam Taluk Police Station, Thanjavur District.

5. The Inspector Of Police, Swamimalai Police Station, Thanjavur District.

6. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

WP Crl.(MD) No. 5798 of 2026 DR.P.MURUGAN, J. ogy WP Crl.(MD) No. 5798 of 2026 23-10-2026