O R D E R

The petitioner, one of the accused in Crime No.156 of 2020 on the file of the first respondent Police, has filed this Criminal Original Petition seeking to quash the First Information Report registered against him.

2.When the matter came up for hearing on 01.08.2025, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) submitted that the investigation in Crime No.156 of 2020 had already been completed and that the final report had been filed through e-filing before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam, on 27.11.2024. However, it was yet to be taken on file.

3.Since it was represented that the final report had already been filed, this Court was not inclined to entertain the petition for quashing the FIR without ascertaining the materials relied upon by the Investigating Agency in the final report. It is for the petitioner to challenge the final report, if so advised.

4.At the same time, it was noticed that though the final report had been filed in November 2024, it had not been taken on file for over eight months. Therefore, by order dated 01.08.2025, this Court called for a report from the learned Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam, explaining the delay.

5.Pursuant to the said