Disposed

Inspector of Police, Tiw Ps v. Jegan

Madras HC23 Oct 2025SUO MOTU TR(MD)/726/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

A suo motu transferred 12-year-old road accident death case was disposed after the accused admitted the charge. The High Court convicted him under Section 304(A) IPC read with Section 181 MV Act and imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 with two months simple imprisonment in default.

What did the court decide?

Accused convicted under S.304(A) IPC r/w S.181 MV Act; fine of Rs.10,000 with default sentence of two months simple imprisonment; suo motu case closed.

Inspector of Police, Tiw Ps Vs Jegan — Motor Accident Claims | Madras HC (2025)

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Suo Motu TR.(MD).No. 726 of 2025

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATE : 23.10.2025

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN

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Suo Motu TR.(MD).No.726 of 2025

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(C.C.No.112 of 2013 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.IV, Tirunelveli)

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The Inspector of Police, Traffic Investigation Wing, Tirunelveli Citiy. In Cr.No. 91 of 2013 ... Petitioner

Vs.

Jegan

... Respondent

Upon perusing the documents and case records of the above C.C.No.

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112 of 2013 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.IV, Tirunelveli transmitted to this Court and hearing the arguments of Mr.S.Ravi, learned

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Additional Public Prosecutor on behalf of the State, this Court passes the

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following

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Suo Motu TR.(MD).No. 726 of 2025

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Prelude:

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ORDER

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“ This dedicated bench is for implementing the pilot project to identify and dispose of criminal cases involving offences punishable with imprisonment up to 3 years pending at trial, appeal or revision stage for more than 3 years and also offences like Section 506(ii) of IPC and others, which may carry a punishment of more than 3 years in the state of Tamil Nadu with reference to the 14 Districts coming under the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court”.

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This Dedicated Bench has taken the C.C.No.112 of 2013 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.IV, Tirunelveli as Suo motu Special Tr.Case.(MD) No.726 of 2025 in Suo Motu W.P.(Crl.).(MD).No. 1014 of 2025, upon proper scrutinity and suitability as a fit case warranting the exercise of power under Article 226 of Constitution of India to pass suitable order in the said C.C., pending more than 12 years without any precedent value in this pilot project.

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3. Brief facts of the prosecution case in C.C.No.112 of 2013

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On 31.03.2013 at about 09.30 hours, a vehicle driven by the accused

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caused an accident, resulting in the death of one person. Therefore, a case

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Suo Motu TR.(MD).No. 726 of 2025

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was registered in Crime No.91 of 2013 and upon completion of investigation, final report filed and the same was taken on file in C.C.No. 112 of 2013 and the same was pending without trial for more than 12 years.

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4. Discussion:

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4.1. During the pendency of this Suo Motu TR.(MD).No.726 of 2025 hearing, the police officers executed the non-bailable warrant issued against the accused and produced before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.IV, Tirunelveli. The Learned Judicial Magistrate No.IV, Tirunelveli remanded the accused on 22.10.2025. Today, the learned Judicial Magistrate No.IV, Tirunelveli, the accused and police officer have appeared through video conference. The accused has filed an admission petition and pleaded guilty and seeks leniency in imposing punishment.

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4.2. This Court explains the contents of the accusation to the accused, and he admits the contents of the admission petition and pleads guilty. Thus, this court satisfies the admission petition filed without any coercion or threat.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Suo Motu TR.(MD).No. 726 of 2025

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4.3.In view of the above admission and pleading of guilty of the accused, and considering the material allegation made in the final report

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did not relate to the economic and heinous offence and his conduct is good and the case is pending for more than twelve years without trial and the same impinge the fair and speedy trial as envisaged under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, this Court is inclined to admit the petition and convict the accused for the offence under Sections 304(A) of IPC r/w 181 of MV Act.

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5.Discussion on the question of sentence :-

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5.1. Hon'ble Thiru. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy has considered

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number of Hon'ble Supreme Court Judgments and passed order in suo moto W.P.(MD) No. 618 of 2025 on 01.09.2025 and framed sentencing policy with reference to the offence under section 304(A) IPC. This case also comes under said parameter as the accident is not due to any aggravated or egregious conduct .

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5.2. The accused is aged about 32 years and he is doing coolie work

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and he has not involved in further offence and considering the mitigating circumstances, and following the law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Suo Motu TR.(MD).No. 726 of 2025

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Court in the case of Sunita Devi Vs. State of Bihar and another reported in 2014 SCC Online SC 984, 2025 INSC 1014 (K.Ponnammal Vs. State) and also taken into account that the victim received the compensation and she also not interested in prosecuting the case and also on the reiterated principle of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the cases of M.W.Mohiuddin V. State of Maharashtra reported in (1995) 3 SCC 567 and B.G.Goswarmi V. Delhi Administration reported in (1974) 3 SCC 85 that delay itself amounts to punishment, which must weigh in sentencing and disposal, this court is inclined to impose fine of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with default sentence of two months simple imprisonment.

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6.Accordingly, this Suo Motu Special Tr.(MD). case stands closed

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on the following terms:

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6.1. The accused is convicted for the offence under Section 304(A)

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of IPC r/w 181 MV Act in C.C.No.112 of 2013 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate Court No.IV, Tirunelveli .

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Suo Motu TR.(MD).No. 726 of 2025

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6.2. The accused is directed to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees

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Ten Thousand only) before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court No.IV, Tirunelveli, and in default, he is directed to undergo two months simple imprisonment.

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23.10.2025

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sbn

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Note to the Trial Court : This order is digitally signed and communicated electronically alone. The Trial Court shall take note of the order and accordingly classify the case pending before them as allowed / dismissed / disposed of, etc, and while doing so, consider any applications such as disposal of properties, etc., and pass appropriate orders, as may be necessary. Further, the Court below is directed to dispatch the copy of this order to all concerned.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Suo Motu TR.(MD).No. 726 of 2025

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K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN,J.

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sbn

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Order made in SUO MOTU TR.(MD).No.726 of 2025