Background: The criminal original petition was filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) by the petitioner, seeking a direction to the respondent police to wrap up the investigation pertaining to Crime No. 0006 of 2026 and file a final report within a stipulated timeframe.

Submissions by the Petitioner’s Counsel: During the hearing, Mr. Rahul Jagannathan, appearing as counsel for the petitioner (and assisted by Ms. Kavya Darshni), emphasized the critical need for speedy justice and judicial intervention against police inaction. It was contended that keeping a criminal investigation pending indefinitely without filing a final report prejudices the rights of parties and defeats the very purpose of criminal jurisprudence. The bench heard the detailed submissions put forth by the petitioner’s legal team regarding the prolonged stagnation of Crime No. 0006 of 2026 on the file of the CBCID Metro Wing.

Court’s Observations: Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan noted that upon receiving information concerning the commission of cognizable or non-cognizable offenses, police officers are legally bound to strictly adhere to the procedure outlined under Sections 173 and 174 of the BNSS. Following necessary inquiries or investigations, a final report must be filed under Section 193 of the BNSS.

The Court explicitly observed that investigations governed under Chapter XIII of the BNSS must be carried out and concluded without any unnecessary delay. Emphasizing the grievance raised by the petitioner’s counsel, the bench held that the delay in filing the final report in the present case was entirely inordinate and unjustified.

Decision and Directions: Disposing of the petition, the Madras High Court directed the respondent police—the Inspector of Police, Crime Branch CID (CBCID) Metro Wing, Chennai—to complete the investigation in Crime No. 0006 of 2026 and file the final report within a clear timeline of 16 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.