Nethaji v. The Inspector of Police
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court, single judge (D. Bharatha Chakravarthy, J.), CRL.O.P.No.16626 of 2026, order dated 01-07-2026. Quashing petition under Section 528 BNSS 2023 against C.C.No.53 of 2021 (Judicial Magistrate, Harur) arising from Crime No.156 of 2021, Harur Police Station (offences under Section 294(b) IPC and Section 4, Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 2002). Grounds: false accusation and four-year delay since charge sheet. Held: mere delay of 4 years by itself does not violate Article 21; quashing refused; trial to be completed within six months; police to ensure witness presence; petitioner exempted from personal appearance except necessary hearings; connected CRL.M.P.Nos.11005 & 11006 of 2026 closed. Keywords: quashing, delay in trial, speedy trial, Article 21, exemption from appearance, S.528 BNSS, S.294(b) IPC, Harur, Dharmapuri.
What did the court decide?
Quashing of C.C.No.53 of 2021 refused; Trial Court directed to complete the trial not later than six months from receipt of the web copy of the order; respondent police to ensure presence of listed witnesses in next hearings; petitioner's personal appearance dispensed with except for necessary hearings; connected miscellaneous petitions (CRL.M.P.Nos.11005 & 11006 of 2026) closed.