The assembly for peaceful protest does not constitute unlawful assembly or wrongful restraint under IPC sections 143 and 341.

ORDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed to quash the charge sheet in S.T.C. No.5 of 2026 on the file of the District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate, Kariapatti, arising out of Crime No. 33 of 2024 on the file of the first respondent police station.

2. A perusal of the charge sheet reveals that totally there are 172 accused persons, out which the petitioner is arrayed as Accused No.34. As per the allegations in the charge sheet, the petitioner and others have been charged with offences punishable under Sections 143 and 341 of the IPC.

3. The allegations in the charge sheet reveal that on 24.02.2024, the petitioner and other officials belonging to the Rural Development Department assembled and staged a protest infront of Town Panchayat Office, Mallanginaru, seeking revocation of the suspension of two employees, who were working in the Town Panchayat Office. The first respondent police asked them to disperse from the spot, but they did not disperse; hence, they were charged with the present offence.

4. According to the petitioner, no specific overtact has been alleged against him. He further points out that the ingredients of Section 341 of the IPC have not been made out. However, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the first respondent submits that several witnesses have spoken about the petitioner’s participation in the alleged protest.

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. As far as Section 143 of the IPC is concerned, the petitioner, along with

171 government officials had assembled to protest against the suspension of two other officials. The petitioner and the other officials were undertaking a peaceful protest and gathering in order to submit a request letter to the District Collector or the concerned Minister, seeking their attention to redress their grievances, and such an assembly cannot be considered to be an unlawful assembly.

7. There is no allegation whatsoever in either the FIR or the charge sheet that they caused wrongful restraint of any official. Therefore, Section 341 of IPC is not attracted.

8. In such view of the matter, the offences under Sections 143 and 341 of the IPC have not been made out, and the continuation of the trial in S.T.C. No. 5 of 2026 on the file of the District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Kariapatti, would cause prejudice to the petitioner.

9. In view thereof, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed, the impugned charge sheet in S.T.C. No. 5 of 2026 on the file of the District Munsif-cum- Judicial Magistrate Court, Kariapatti, is quashed insofar as the petitioner alone is concerned. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.