1. The common issue that has arisen for consideration before this Court in all the above cases is as to whether the continuance of the petitioners to be categorized as “History Sheeters” is legal and is in consonance with the relevant Police Standing Orders.

2. The scope of the relevant Police Standing Orders namely PSO Nos.741 to 748, has been a subject matter of consideration in various judgments of this Court and the law is no longer res integra. There is nothing new that is to be said in this judgment except to reiterate the settled position and to see, if it has been properly followed in all the cases, wherein the continuance of the persons branded as history sheeters, is under challenge.

3. This Court in Ganesan Vs The District Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar reported in 2010 (6) CTC 507 has considered the law in detail. The relevant portions of the judgment are extracted hereunder :

“45. Reading of the Police Standing Orders dealing with opening and retention of history sheets for different kinds of persons, such as, convicts, rowdies, known depredators, suspects and others shows that the authorities who are empowered to open and