The court directs expeditious trial proceedings in cases involving domestic violence while noting the petitioner’s reluctance does not justify delays.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 10.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR Crl.O.P. No. 6153 of 2026 Mohanapriya ..Petitioner Vs.

The State rep. by The Station House Officer, All Women Police Station, Puducherry. ..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. to issue a direction to the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Puducherry, to complete the trial in C.C. No. 818 of 2023 expeditiously within such time as this Court may deem fit and proper.

For Petitioner :: Mr.R.Saravanan For Respondent :: Mr.M.V. Ramachandramurthy Public Prosecutor, Govt. of Puducherry assisted by Mr.M. Thamizhamani O R D E R This criminal original petition is filed seeking a direction to the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Puducherry, to complete the trial in C.C.

No. 818 of 2023 expeditiously.

2. The contention of the petitioner is that she had lodged a complaint and a case in Crime No. 1 of 2021 was registered for offences under Sections 294(b), 498-A 354-B and 506(ii) read with Section 34 IPC and Section 3 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 against nine persons, who are her estranged husband and other family members. After investigation, the charge sheet was filed before the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate on 1.12.2023 for offences under Sections 294(b), 498-A, 506(ii), 509 r/w 34 IPC and Section 3 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Thereafter, the case, which was taken on file as C.C. No. 818 of 2023, was kept pending without any progress. In the meanwhile, the accused had filed a discharge petition in Crl.M.P. No. 4 of 2024 in C.C. No. 818 of 2023, which was dismissed on 27.02.2025. Later, the case was transferred to the file of Judicial Magistrate, Mahila Court, (Magistrate Level), Puducherry, on 05.05.2025. Thereafter, the trial did not progress. The petitioner was ready to proceed with the trial but the Trial Court, for some reason or the other ,was insisting for the appearance of the accused and did not proceed with the trial. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court with the present petition.

3. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor strongly opposed the petitioner’s contention and submitted that on the complaint of the petitioner, the case was registered in Crime No. 1 of 2021 on 03.05.2021 and on completion of investigation, charge sheet was filed on 01.12.2023 before the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Puducherry. The petitioner had made allegations against the her estranged husband and the .entire family members of her estranged husband. A1 is the estranged husband of de facto complainant/petitioner herein; A2 is the sister of A1; A3 is the brother of A1; A4 is the wife of A3; A5 is the husband of A2; A6 and A7 are sons of A2; A8 is the second sister of A1 and A9 is the husband of A8. The entire family members are arrayed as accused and on completion of investigation, the charge sheet has been filed against them.

4. In this case, the charge sheet has been filed listing 12 witnesses and documents. Initially, the case was taken on file in in C.C. No. 818 of 2023 by the Chief Judicial Magistrate and thereafter, all the accused had appeared. The accused had filed discharge petition in Crl. M.P. NO. 4 of 2024 and after detailed arguments, the said petition was dismissed on 27.02.2025. In the meanwhile, the Mahila Court was formed and thereafter, the case was transferred to Mahila Court on 05.05.2025. Summons was issued to the petitioner for her appearance; she had appeared on 19.01.2026 before the Trial Court; she got into the box and she was examined as P.W.1. When the chief-examination was mid-way, she insisted that all the accused should be present and th