IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12.01.2026 CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA W.P.(Crl.)No.1760 of 2025 K.Vinoth Kumar ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Superintendent of of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.

2. The Sub-Inspector of Police, Veppur Police Station, Cuddalore District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition (Criminal) is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1^st respondent to remove the petitioner’s name from rowdy list record in H.S.No.09/2020 which opened was opened by the 2^nd respondent, by representation of the petitioner dated 14.12.2025 in accordance with law.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Balaji For Respondents : Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

The Writ Petition (Criminal) has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to remove the petitioner's name from the History Sheet, by considering the petitioner’s representation dated 14.12.2025.

2. The submissions of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner are as follows:-

2.1. Due to a private dispute between the petitioner and one Devarasu with regard to a common pathway, there arose a wordy quarrel between them on 15.09.2019. Subsequently, based on a complaint given by the said Devarasu, a false case was registered against the petitioner in Cr.No.337 of 2019 for the offences under Sections 294(b) and 506(I) of IPC, 1860. Subsequently, another complaint was given against the petitioner by the said Devarasu which was registered in Cr.433 of 2020 for the offences under Sections 294(b), 506(II) of IPC, 1860 r/w Section 3 of TN Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992. Further, yet another case was registered against him in Cr.No.398 of 2021 for the offences under Sections 294(b) and 506(I) of IPC r/w. Section 7(1) of the CLA Act. In connection with the said case, the trial Court acquitted the petitioner in full on the ground that there was no evidence against him. At present, the cases in Crime Nos. 337 of 2019 and 433 of 2020 are pending against the petitioner.

2.2. Further, in order to harass the petitioner and restrict his movements, the name of the petitioner was included in the History Sheet in H.S.No.09 of 2020, at the instance of the superior officers in the Police Department. However, despite there being no criminal activity for the past five years on part of the petitioner, he is being compelled to attend the police station under the pretext of enquiry in a routine manner. In this regard, the petitioner made a representation dated 14.12.2025 to the first respondent seeking to remove his name from the History Sheet. Since the said representation has not been considered till date, the present petition has been filed.

3. Learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondents submitted that the petitioner is a habitual offender indulging in rowdy activities, extortion, etc. Therefore, a History Sheeted Rowdy Book was opened against him and the same is being periodically extended as per the Police Standing Orders. Hence, he prayed for dismissal of the petition.

4. Having heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and upon perusal of the materials available on record, this Court is of the opinion that the issue involved in this Writ Petition has already been dealt with by the Madurai Bench of this Court, wherein a detailed order was passed in W.P.(MD) No.19651 of 2017 on 26.09.2018. Based on the said order, the Director General Of Police, Chennai issued a circular in Rc.No. 66569/Crime 3(2)/2019 dated 24.04.2019, the relevant/germane portion of which reads as follows:-

“7.From the above judgments the following principles emerge insofar as history sheeters are concerned:

a. In order to facilitate the study of crime and criminals, the Police Standing Orders provides a mechanism, whereby every Police Station shall maintain a crime history, which shall be a confident