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SPECIAL COURT IN THE CADRE OF DISTRICT JUDGE FOR TRIAL OF CASES UNDER PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT, CHENNAI.

Present: Dr. L.S. SATHIYAMURTHY, M.A., M.L., Phd., Special Judge (TN01523)

Friday, the 30^th day of October 2026 Crl.M.P.No. 137/2026 in Crime No. 64/2026/CCB-I Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, S/o.Anbil Poyyamozhi, S-3, Mystery Sky Apartment, 2^nd Street, Viswas Nagar, Palpannai, Tharanallur, Tiruchirappalli – 620 008.

.… Petitioner/A5.

-Vs-

State Represented by Inspector of Police / Assistant Commissioner of Police, EDF-III, Beta – 6, Central Crime Branch, Greater Chennai Police, Vepery, Vigilance and Anti Corruption, Chennai – 600 007.

...Respondent /Complainant.

ORDER

1) This is a petition filed by A5 praying a direction from this court to the prison authorities to provide home - cooked food in prison.

2) In the affidavit the petitioner who has been remanded to Judicial Custody on 26.10.2026 in the case registered in Cr.No.64/2026 by the respondent has inter alia the facts of the case and his defence has stated as follows:

3) In pursuant to remand order dt.26.10.2026 he was lodged in Puzhal Prison in the early hours of 27.10.2026. He is suffering from recurrent acute-on- chronic pancreatitis, which causes him constant upper abdominal pain and necessitates a specialised dietary regimen, continous medical care and appropriate treatment. In view of his medical condition, the petitioner has been undergoing treatment since 2024 and is advised to avoid normal food and to take special chronic pancreatitis diet i.e., low in protein and fat with nutritional supplements the petitioner requires special care and medical attention, which would be essential for safeguarding his health and well-being.

4) At the time of remanding to judicial custody, the court has specifically directed in the remand warrant that the petitioner be provided with class “A” prison facilities under Rule 230, Tamil Nadu Prison Rules, 2024 and special dietary requirements in view of his medical condition i.e., recurrent acute-on- chronic pancreatitis. Despite the specific direction issued by this Hon’ble Court, he has been provided with regular prison food like rice, chapati, egg, dhal, etc., which has aggravated his discomfort and is not suitable for his medical condition. The petitioner has already lost around 3 kgs of weight in 5 days and is facing a health crises.

5) In the affidavit the petitioner further stated that Section 31 of the Prisons Act, 1894 permits the prisoners to receive food from private sources. Therefore, considering the petitioner’s medical condition and the dietary restrictions necessitated by the same, the petitioner prayed to permit him to receive home-cooked food, subject to examination and approval.

The objections in brief, made in the counter filed by the Respondent 6) The petition filed by the petitioner / A5 seeking permission to receive home-prepared food during his judicial custody is not a matter of absolute right and is subject to the applicable provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prison Rules, 2024, prison discipline, security requirements and the discretion of the competent authorities. The petitioner cannot claim such a facility as an unconditional entitlement merely on the basis of his personal preference.

7) The Government of Tamil Nadu has notified the Tamil Nadu Prison Rules, 2024, vide Notification No. SRO A-21/2024, dated 21.10.2024, published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on 20.11.2024. The said Rules prescribe a regulated system for the preparation, inspection, storage and distribution of food to prisoners. The present request for home – prepared food should not be permitted to become a source of unnecessary complications or interference with the orderly administration of custody. The petitioner can be provided with adequate food and drinking water in accordance with the applicable rules and arrangements. The respondent police undertake that the petitioner will not be deprived of his basis food require