Ponnar v. The State of Tamil Nadu
Case brief
What is this about?
Anti-harassment protective directions under Section 528 BNSS 2023; written summons requirement under Section 62 BNSS 2023; prohibition of oral/informal police summons; two-week limit on police enquiry; prior written notice before FIR registration to enable anticipatory bail; closure of complaint where dispute is civil in nature; police barred from adjudicating private civil rights; gratuity-related backdrop with dismissed writ petitions and Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. application before Judicial Magistrate No.II, Dindigul; Superintendent of Police and District Crime Branch, Dindigul; Madurai Bench of Madras High Court; Crl.O.P.(MD).No.994 of 2026; L. Victoria Gowri, J.; 21.01.2026.
What did the court decide?
Criminal Original Petition allowed with directions to the respondent-police: (a) written summons/notice under Section 62 BNSS, 2023 for any complaint, prohibiting oral or informal summons; (b) enquiry to be completed within two weeks of the petitioner's appearance; (c) prior written notice to petitioners before registering an FIR, enabling remedies including anticipatory bail; (d) closure of the complaint without coercive action if the dispute is civil in nature; (e) no interference with or adjudication of private civil rights between the parties.