1. The prayer in the Suit is for compensation of a sum of Rs.55,00,000/- in respect of the proceedings taken against the plaintiff in the Criminal Court, resulting in acquittal.

2. The Suit is opposed by the respondents herein on the ground that the filing of the Suit is barred by limitation as per Article 74 of the Limitation Act, which prescribes only one year limitation from the date of acquittal.

3. The facts leading to the filing of the Suit are as follows: The plaintiff is working as a selection grade lecturer in the Department of Commerce in Quaide Milleth College, Medavakkam, Chennai and the defendants are also working in the same college. It is stated that the plaintiff along with 20 other staff members of the college were prosecuted in two Criminal Complaints preferred by the defendants before the Judicial Magistrate, Alandur, Chennai, which were taken up on file in C.C. No.144 of 2001 and 147 of 2001 respectively. The plaintiff was impleaded as 18th accused in both the Complaints. Ultimately, by order-dated 17. 2005, the Complaints were rejected and the plaintiff was acquitted. The plaintiff submits that he was forced to spend his valuable time in attending