IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 21.01.2026 CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA and Crl.M.P.No.19784 of 2025

1.Abbas

2.Mohammed Lathifullah y

3.Aejasudeen

4.Mohammed Ali A

5.Mohammed Mohideen Ajmal

6.Mohammed Rasheed 7.Syed Niyamathullah

8.Syed Rafi Basha H

9.Muneer Basha

10.Mohamed Kasim A

11.Mohamed Ali

12.H Syed Nasar Basha

13.Mubeena Banu

14.Mufti Mujahidhulislam Qasmi ... Petitioners Vs.

The Inspector of Police, H1, Washermenpet Police Station, Chennai - 600 021.

Cr.No.145/2020 ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original petition is filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita/Section 482 Cr.P.C, to call for the records relating to the FIR in Crime No.145 of 2020 on the file of Respondent police and quash the same.

For Petitioners : Mr.G.Mohan For Respondent : Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

The present Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to quash the First Information Report against the petitioners in Crime No.145 of 2020, on the file of the first respondent Police.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 16.02.2020, the petitioners and others, who belong to a political party, without obtaining prior permission, unlawfully assembled and conducted a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizenship (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR), thereby causing disturbance to the public. Consequently, the aforesaid case in Crime No.145 of 2020 was registered by the respondent Police for the offences under Sections143, 145 147, 151, 290 & 341 of IPC, Section 41(VI), 71 (A)(i) of the TN City Police Act and Section 4A (1b) of the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the alleged incident took place on 16.02.2020 and that as per the First Information Report, the allegations as against the petitioners are general in nature and no identification parade was conducted. He further submitted that the Government has issued G.O.(Ms.) No.368, Home (4) Department dated 04.09.2021, directing withdrawal of cases in respect of protests against three Agricultural Amendment Laws, National Register of Citizenship (NRC) / Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Eight lane /

Methane /Neutrino, etc. and Koodankulam issues.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioners, along with others, have conducted protest without obtaining permission. He further submitted that though the Government has issued the aforesaid G.O., directing the withdrawal of cases relating to protest activities, the present Crime No.145 of 2020 does not fall within the said G.O.

5. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6. Though the petitioners are said to have agitated against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizenship (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR), despite warning given by the respondent police, since the allegations are general in nature, this Court is of the opinion that no useful purpose will be served by keeping the FIR pending. Further, the Government has issued directions for the withdrawal of cases relating to various protest activities vide G.O.(Ms.) No.368, supra.

Hence, the FIR is liable to be quashed.

7. Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition stands allowed and the proceedings in the First Information Report in Crime No.145 of 2020, on the file of the respondent Police is hereby quashed in its entirety as against the petitioners and other accused also. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

21.01.2026 Neutral Citation: Yes/No rpl To

1.The Inspector of Police, H1, Washermenpet Police Station, Chennai - 600 021.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA , J .

rpl

21.01.2026