BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 19.01.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Crl.O.P.(MD).No.18733 of 2025 and Crl.M.P.(MD).Nos.15514 and 15515 of 2025

1. Sivakumar

2. Babu

3. Shanthi 4. Ramesh

5. Kalaiselvi .... Petitioners Vs.

Vennilla ... Respondent Prayer : Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to call for the records in the impugned proceeding in D.V.O.P.No.28 of 2019, on the file of the learned Additional Mahila Court (Judicial Magistrate Level), Dindigul and quash the same as illegal.

For Petitioner : Mrs.P.Jessi Jeeva Priya

ORDER

Preface:

The present Criminal Original Petition has been filed invoking the inherent jurisdiction of this Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, seeking quashment of the proceedings initiated by the respondent under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”).

2. While exercising jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C., this Court is required to strike a careful balance between preventing abuse of process and ensuring that beneficial social welfare legislations are not rendered otiose at the threshold, pa