O R D E R

This Criminal Original Petition is filed seeking quashment of FIR in Crime No.502 of 2020 pending on the file of the first respondent/Inspector of Police, Jaihindpuram Police Station, Madurai District.

2. It is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioners that the defacto complainant / Police on account of Covid-19, the Police have promulgated 144 Cr.P.C proceedings prohibiting the gathering of four or more persons in a specified area.

3. According to the Police, that the petitioners were gathered in a house for worshipping despite the fact that a complete lockdown was effected across the State. On account of which, there was every possibility of spreading of corona, and based on a complaint given by the defacto complainant/police, a case was registered on 17.04.2020 against the petitioners in Crime No.502 of 2020 for the offences punishable under Sections 143, 269, 270 and 188 of IPC, and has effected arrest of the petitioners for violating 144 Section and of course for not wearing mask and violating social distances. The petitioners are arrayed as Accused Nos.2 to 20.

4. It is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that on

17.04.2020, the petitioners were gathe