IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 19-01-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA

1.T.R.Mouli 2.Thangavel 3.Nallammal ..Petitioners Vs The Inspector of Police, Dharapuram Police Station, Tiruppur District.

..Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., to direct the learned Judicial Magistrate, Dharapuram, to expedite and complete the trial in CC.No.108 of 2022 by fixing a time limit to dispose the case.

For Petitioners: Mr.S.Doraiswamy For Respondent: Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (crl.side)

ORDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the learned Judicial Magistrate, Dharapuram, to expedite and complete the trial in CC.No.108 of 2022 by fixing a time limit.

2. When the matter was taken up for hearing today, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent submitted that there are totally 4 accused in this case and the petitioners are A2 to A4. A1 has passed away. He further submitted that there are 8 witnesses in this case and the case stands posted for commencement of trial on 09.03.2026.

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

4. It is pertinent to state that a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, in the case of High Court Bar Association, Allahabad vs. State of Uttar Pradesh reported in (2024) 6 SCC 267, has held that the constitutional courts, in the ordinary course, should refrain from fixing a time-bound schedule for the disposal of cases pending before any other court. The relevant portion of the said decision for the sake of ready reference is reproduced below:

"47.3. Constitutional courts, in the ordinary course, should refrain from fixing a time-bound schedule for the disposal of cases pending before any other courts. Constitutional courts may issue directions for the time-bound disposal of cases only in exceptional circumstances. The issue of prioritising the disposal of cases should be best left to the decision of the courts concerned where the cases are pending."

(emphasis supplied by this Court).

5. It has also been held in the aforesaid extracted portion that in exceptional circumstances, constitutional courts may issue directions for time bound disposal of cases.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of this case and also considering that the case which arises out of the FIR of the year 2021, is of the year 2022 and the same has been pending for the past four years, this Court directs the learned Judicial Magistrate, Dharapuram, to dispose of the case in C.C.No.108 of 2022, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of one year from 09.03.2026, i.e., the next date of hearing.

7. With the above direction, this criminal original petition stands disposed of. 19-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order vkr A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

vkr To

1.The Judicial Magistrate, Dharapuram.

2.The Inspector of Police, Dharapuram Police Station, Tiruppur District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

19.01.2026 (2/2)