Chennai, October 23: The Madras High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a group of protesters who staged a demonstration in Theni in February 2024 demanding that Tamil be recognised as an official language of the High Court.

Justice R. Vijayakumar passed the order while allowing a petition filed by S. Vinoth Raja, who had sought to quash the criminal case pending against him and other accused before the Theni Judicial Magistrate Court.

Protest and Police Case

According to the prosecution, the protesters had unlawfully assembled in Theni district on February 11, 2024, and erected a flex banner calling for Tamil to be made an official language of the High Court. Police alleged that the group obstructed officers from performing their duties, threatened them, and warned of setting vehicles on fire if they were prevented from continuing the protest.

Based on these allegations, Theni police registered a criminal case against the demonstrators.

Court's Observations

Appearing for the petitioner, counsel argued that the protest was peaceful and democratic, contending that a false case had been registered against the participants.

Justice Vijayakumar observed that the charge sheet primarily indicated that the protesters had gathered to oppose the non-introduction of Tamil as an official language of the High Court. Regarding the additional allegations of intimidation and obstruction, the court noted that all the listed witnesses were police personnel.

The judge held that, in the circumstances, allowing the criminal proceedings to continue would amount to an abuse of the legal process.

Proceedings Quashed for All Accused

Noting that the co-accused stood on the same footing as the petitioner, the High Court extended the relief to them as well, quashing the criminal proceedings pending before the trial court against all those named in the case.