Disposed¶23

Vanathai v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Pew-Madurai City

Madras HC12 Jan 2026CRL OP(MD)/618/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Split-up of trial; separation of absconding accused; speedy trial timeline of six months; Section 528 BNSS 2023; Prohibition and Enforcement Wing (PEW), Madurai City; Crime No.706/2024; C.C.No.427 of 2024; II Additional District Judge for EC and NDPS Act cases, Madurai; petitioner A2 Vanathai; judicial custody of A1 and A3; A5 absconded; Crl.O.P(MD)No.618 of 2026; disposed of with directions.

What did the court decide?

Direction to the II Additional District Judge for EC and NDPS Act cases, Madurai to split up the case against the 5th accused in C.C.No.427 of 2024 and conclude the trial within six (6) months from receipt of copy of the order; the Criminal Original Petition stands disposed of with the above directions. ¶23

Vanathai Vs State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Pew-Madurai City — Madras HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

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Crl.O.P(MD)No.618 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED : 12.01.2026

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI

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Crl.O.P(MD)No.618 of 2026

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Vanathai ... Petitioner/A2

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Vs.

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The State of Tamilnadu, Rep.by The Inspector of Police, Prohibition and Enforcement Wing(PEW), Madurai City. (Crime No.706/2024) ... Respondent/Complainant

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Prayer : Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to direct the learned 2^nd Additional District Judge, For EC and NDPS act cases Madurai to split up the case against the petitioner in CC.No.427 of 2024 pending on his file and complete the trial and dispose of the case within a time limit as fixed by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Balaji For Respondent : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar, Government Advocate (Crl. side)

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1/4

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

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Crl.O.P(MD)No.618 of 2026

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ORDER

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Seeking to direct the learned II Additional District Judge, For EC and NDPS act cases Madurai to split up the case against the petitioner in CC.No.427 of 2024 pending on his file and complete the trial and dispose of the case within a time limit as fixed by this Court, this criminal original petition is filed.

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The petitioner is the 2^nd accused in Crime No.706 of 2024 which culminated in C.C.No.427 of 2024. Already the 1^st and 3^rd accused are in judicial custody. The 5^th accused had absconded, as a result of which the said C.C is pending since 2024. Hence, this petition is filed by the petitioner who is the 2^nd accused seeking to split up the case against the petitioner herein in C.C.No.427 of 2024 and complete the trial.

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Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully perused

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the materials available on record.

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2/4

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

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Crl.O.P(MD)No.618 of 2026

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Considering the plight of the petitioner, the II Additional District Judge for EC and NDPS Act cases, Madurai is directed to split up the case against the 5^th accused in C.C.No.427 of 2024 and conclude the trial within a period of six (6) months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

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