JUDGMENT :

N. Anand Venkatesh, J.

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the proceedings in C.C.No.4670 of 2006, pending on the file of the learned Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore.

2. The case of the prosecution is that Alwarpet Benefit Fund Limited, which was a Company engaged in the business of receiving fixed deposits, failed to repay the deposits even after maturity. An FIR was registered based on the complaint given by one of the depositor. In the course of investigation, it was found that 46,000 depositors were defrauded to the tune of Rs.118 crores. The investigation was completed, and a Final Report was filed against 14 accused persons and the petitioner is ranked as A-4. Even though, the Final Report was taken cognizance in the year 2006, the principal accused persons viz; A-1 to A-3 have absconded and are said to be living in a foreign country and are yet to be brought back to India, and therefore there is absolutely no progress in the case for the last 13 years.

3. The petitioner who has been arrayed as A-4, was working as a Director of the Company during the period from 27.02.1997 to 04.07.1999.

4. Mr. V.P. Raman, learned Senior Counsel appeari