WPMP CRL.(MD)/1172/2026 of State Of Tamilnadu Rep By In Vs Tr. Arun Kumar on 16 September 2026

O R D E R

Heard both sides.

2. This writ miscellaneous petition has been filed by Inspector of Police, Mrs.Santhana Lakshmi, CB-CID, Dindigul District seeking further six months time to expedite the investigation in Crime No.01 of 2026 on the file of the petitioner's station. This Court by order dated 25.08.2026 directed the CB-CID, who is the fifth respondent in W.P.Crl(MD)No.1603 of 2026, to take appropriate action based on the petitioner's representation and conclude the investigation within a period of four [4] weeks. The first respondent in the main writ petition was directed to monitor the investigation.

3. Based on the Court order, as per the facts stated in the time extension petition, the petitioner registered a case in Crime No. 01 of 2026 on 15.05.2026. When the Investigation Officer started the investigation, there are two accused in this case, namely A1 and A2. A1 is bedridden due to back injury and A2 is working abroad, in Cambodia. Therefore, the accused could not be secured. Further, look out circulars have also been issued as against A2. So far, eight witnesses have been examined and twenty five documents have been collected and prepared etc., Having unable to complete the investigation within the time schedule granted by this Court, the present petition has been filed seeking extension of time.

4. The extension petition have to be filed before the last day of expiry of time. As per the order of this Court, coupled with the receipt of the case file with respect to the fresh representation from the original petitioner and the registration of the FIR on

15.05.2026, four-week period expired on 12.06.2026. Even thereafter, this petition was not filed within the stipulated time. Instead, it was filed before this Court on 11.08.2026, after a delay of fifty [50] days from the expiry of the original time granted by this Court.

5. When this was put to the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), he admitted that there was a delay in filing the extension petition. Thereafter, the Inspector of Police was directed to appear before this Court on 16.09.2026.

6. The Inspector of Police, Mrs.Santhana Lakshmi, appeared before this Court and explained the administrative difficulties prevailing in their office for the past two years. She submitted that, whenever a petition seeking extension of time is filed before the competent Court, they have to seek the opinion of the learned State Public Prosecutor. Thereby, she sent a letter to the Head of the Department, to enable the matter to be placed before the learned State Public Prosecutor for his opinion. The learned State Public Prosecutor sent his opinion dated 26.06.2026. Subsequently, the Inspector of Police prepared the extension petition and signed the same on 31.07.2026. Therefore, the petition was filed before this Court on 11.08.2026, with a delay of eleven days [11] from the date on which the petition was prepared and signed.

7. Though the administrative reasons assigned by the petitioner cannot be disputed at this stage, the same may be tested in other cases. Considering, the reasons assigned by the petitioner and taking note of the earlier order passed by this Court, this Court had originally granted only four weeks time to conclude the investigation. The petitioner, Mrs.Santhana Lakshmi, who is the Inspector of Police, now seeks six [6] weeks time to expedite the investigation and conclude the same and file the final report.

8. Recording the statement of the Inspector of Police and also the reasons assigned by her and the submission of the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) of this court, six [6] weeks time is granted to complete the investigation. The said period shall be calculated from today [16.09.2026] and the police shall not take any zigzag method in this matter. Even if the copy of the order is not received by the police in due course, the Inspector of Police is directed expedite the investigation and conclude the same within the aforesaid period and file the final report and submit a report to this Court at once.

9. With the above direction, this writ miscellaneous petition is disposed of. 16.09.2026 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No

psa

To

1. The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Palani, Dindigul District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Swaminathapuram Police Station, Palani, Dindigul District.

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

DR. P. MURUGAN, J.

psa

WMP. CRL.(MD) No.1172 of 2026 in WP.CRL.(MD).No.1603 of 2026 16.09.2026