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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
N.SATHISH KUMAR, M.JOTHIRAMAN
G. Chidambaram – Appellant
Versus
Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu – Respondent
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. cctns 2.0 requires registration for fir viewing. (Para 3) |
| 2. supreme court guidelines mandate fir upload for non-sensitive cases. (Para 5) |
| 3. fir access limited to informant, victim, accused. (Para 6 , 7 , 8) |
| 4. no public right to firs; petition disposed. (Para 9) |
ORDER :
1. The prayer in this writ petition is to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to restore online public access to FIRs, except, in cases relating to offences, against women, sexual offences and SC/ST Act under the CCTNS 2.O systems, based on the petitioner's representation dated 04.04.2026.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that previously FIRs registered by the Tamil Nadu Police except those relating to offences against women, sexual offences and SC/ST Act, were accessible through online to the public. However, after the implementation of CCTNS 2.0 project, public access to view FIRs is barred and at present FIRs are accessible only to complainant and investigating officer, due to which, advocates and litigants are unable to access FIR details which causes considerable delay in approaching the courts for legal remedies including anticipatory bail.
3. Learned Additional
Public has no right to online FIR access beyond accused, informant, or victim; restricted to sensitive cases per Supreme Court guidelines.
Investigative reports registered by law enforcement are public documents. Accurate media reporting of such records does not inherently violate privacy rights or constitute an unfair trial, absent cle....
Charge-sheet/documents along with charge-sheet cannot be said to be public documents under Section 74 of Evidence Act – Copies of charge-sheet and relevant documents along with charge-sheet do not fa....
The High Court emphasized the need for strict compliance with the Supreme Court's directions regarding the uploading of FIRs and the exercise of power to prevent the abuse of process of court.
The court upheld the protection of press freedom and privacy rights, emphasizing that investigative procedures must respect journalistic integrity and not result in harassment of reporters.
The main legal point established in the judgment is that the writ of mandamus can be declined when seeking to direct registration of FIR before exhausting the available statutory remedies under Cr.P.....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the balancing of the rights of the accused and the larger interest of society in accessing certified copies of documents under Rule 231 of the Crim....
The court emphasized the breach of the victim's right to privacy and dignity due to the FIR leak, mandating confidentiality in sensitive cases and directing a Special Investigation Team for a fair in....
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