Justice R Vijayakumar noted that the student and others had raised their agitation in a peaceful and democratic manner and there was no allegation of any damage to public property. Thus, the court held that continuation of criminal proceedings would be an abuse of process of law.

“The petitioner and others, who belong to a Student Association had conducted a protest in front of a Conference Hall, where a meeting was conducted for eradication of Sanatana Dharma, The petitioner and others have raised their agitation in a peaceful and democratic manner and further, there is no allegation of any damage to any public property. In such circumstances, continuation of the criminal proceedings would only be an abuse of process of law,” the court observed.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Senthoorvelan. Senthoorvelan, along with seven others, had protested against the conduct of a conference for eradication of Sanatana Dharma. The prosecution alleged that despite warnings by police officials, the petitioners and others blocked the road and caused inconvenience to the general public.

The petitioner argued that he had raised his objection with regard to the conduct of the meeting and had peacefully conducted the protest in front of the Conference Hall. The petitioner argued that the same could not be considered an offence. The petitioner also pointed out that the chargesheet had not been filed for the past three years.

The prosecution argued that though the chargesheet was ready, it had not been filed yet.

Noting that the petitioners had conducted their protest peacefully and no public property had been damaged, the court was inclined to quash the case. Thus, the court quashed the FIR not only against the petitioner student but against all other accused also.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. PR. Malan

Counsel for Respondent: Mr. G. Ganesh Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

Case Title: M Senthoorvelan v State of Tamil Nadu and Another

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 404

Case No: Crl OP (MD) No 16688 of 2026