Judicial efficiency requires strict adherence to statutory timelines for filing and executing legal processes to prevent systemic delays in justice delivery.

COMMON ORDER

This Court, with deep regret, is constrained to state that when police and judicial authorities act arbitrarily and fail to adhere to the rule of law, including binding precedents of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the circulars issued by this Court, such conduct is not merely unlawful but reflects a serious erosion of institutional discipline and respect for judicial norms. It not only undermines public confidence in the justice delivery system but also sends a dangerous signal to the accused, enabling them to evade due process, while causing serious hardship to the complainant.

2. In this backdrop, considering the serious lapses noted, and since the issues raised in these matters involve similar shortcomings requiring common consideration, all the petitions are taken up together and are being disposed of by this common order, by outlining the relevant circumstances and procedural failures in each of the following cases.

(i) Crl.O.P.Nos.16882 and 21404 of 2025 – These petitions have been filed seeking (i) a direction to the learned V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai, to take on file the charge sheet filed by the respondent police on 10.02.2024 through the e-filing portal; and (ii) a direction to the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Tambaram, to take on file the final report filed by the respondent police on 11.05.2024. Although a considerable period has elapsed since the filing of the said charge sheets, they have not yet been taken on file by the respective Magistrates.

(ii) Crl.O.P.Nos.18139 and 20852 of 2025 – These petitions seek a direction for the execution of the Non-Bailable Warrants issued by the learned Magistrate, which have remained unexecuted for a considerable period despite repeated opportunities.

3. A brief narration of the facts in each of the Criminal Original Petitions is set out below:

3.1. The petitioner in Crl.O.P.No.16882 of 2025 is the State President of Tamil Nadu HIV Ullor Koottamaippu, an association engaged in implementing welfare schemes for HIV-affected persons across Tamil Nadu. Based on a complaint lodged by the petitioner alleging cheating to the tune of Rs.14,00,000/- by certain individuals under the guise of arranging project funds, an FIR in Crime No.359 of 2022 was registered by the respondent police for the offence under Section 420 IPC. Subsequently, this Court, by order dated 10.08.2023 in Crl.O.P.No.17877 of 2023, directed the respondent police to file a final report or closure report within three months. Thereafter, on 23.02.2024, in Contempt Petition No.445 of 2024, it was submitted before this Court that the final report had been filed before the learned V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, on 10.02.2024 via E-Filing No.C202400037. Recording the same, this Court directed the Magistrate to act upon the report within four weeks. The grievance of the petitioner is that even after the expiry of several months, the learned Magistrate has not taken any steps to act upon the final report as directed. The petitioner also refers to Rule 25(6) of the Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019, which mandates that the final report shall not be returned even if defective, and that in the absence of any defect, it shall be taken on file within three days from the date of receipt. Hence, the present petition is filed, seeking appropriate direction to the learned V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, to take on file the final report dated 10.02.2024, filed in E-Filing No.C202400037, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court.

3.2. The petitioner has filed the petition in Crl.O.P.No.21404 of 2025 stating that he, along with 91 others, was allegedly cheated by one Mr.Manalan, Proprietor of Renils Estate, who is accused of having collected a total sum of Rs.2,10,00,000/- from the victims under the pretext of selling DTCP-approved plots in Survey No.158, Koodalur Village, Chengalpattu. Despite receiving the amount, the accused failed to purchase the promised land and instead diverted the funds