Madras High Court
CRL OP(MD)/23339/2026 of Murali Sangupandi Vs State Of Tamilnadu Rep By In on 13 October 2026
CRL OP(MD) No. 23339 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 13-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR
CRL OP(MD) No. 23339 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011395342026}
Murali Sangupandi
S/o.Sangupandi,
18-1-37/1,
Samykannu Street,
Athoor,
Sithayankottai,
Dindigul - 624708.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police,
Sempatti Police Station,
Sempatti,
Dindigul District.
Crime No. 1465/2020.
2. C.Narayanan
Special Sub Inspector of Police,
Sempatti,
Dindigul.
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS Act, to call for the records in Crime No. 1465/2020 on the file of the 1st respondent and to quash the same as against the petitioner by allowing the above Criminal Original Petition.
For Petitioner(s):
M/s.S.M.Mohan Gandhi
For Respondent(s):
M/S.V.Shathurthi Raja,
Government Advocate (Crl.side)
For R1
CRL OP(MD) No. 23339 of 2026
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ORDER
The present petition has been filed by Accused No. 29 in Crime No. 1465 of 2020, registered by the first respondent police station in Dindigul District, seeking to quash the FIR, in which the petitioner and others are alleged to have committed offences punishable under Sections 341, 269 and 143 of the IPC.
2. A perusal of the FIR reveals that the petitioner herein, along with 69 others belonging to a political party, allegedly assembled unlawfully at about 1.30 p.m. on 08.12.2020 and raised slogans against the Central Government and protest against the implementation of reforms in the agricultural laws. It is further alleged that their protest caused inconvenience to the general public and disrupted public transport. They were arrested at 1.45 p.m. and kept at a Kalyana Mandapam, following which the present FIR was registered.
3. According to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, the petitioner, being a member of a political party, had staged a protest against the Central Government in opposition to the implementation of reforms in the agricultural laws, and such a protest cannot be construed as a criminal offence.
CRL OP(MD) No. 23339 of 2026
4. Heard the submissions made on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.
5. As could be seen from the FIR, the petitioner herein, along with the other accused, is alleged to have participated in a protest against the policies of the Central Government in a democratic manner. Such a protest cannot, by itself, be construed as a criminal offence. The other accused persons also stand on the same footing.
6. In view of the above said facts and circumstances, the continuation of the criminal proceedings against the petitioner would amount to an abuse of the process of law. Accordingly, the FIR in Crime No. 1465 of 2020, registered by the first respondent police, is hereby quashed not only insofar as the petitioner is concerned but also the other accused persons are concerned.
CRL OP(MD) No. 23339 of 2026
7. With the said observations, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed. 13-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No gvn To:
1. The Inspector Of Police, Sempatti Police Station, Sempatti, Dindigul District. Crime No. 1465/2020.
2. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
CRL OP(MD) No. 23339 of 2026 R.VIJAYAKUMAR, J. gvn CRL OP(MD) No. 23339 of 2026 13-10-2026