RAJA Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This batch of Criminal Original Petitions have been filed challenging the criminal proceedings initiated against the petitioners. The major offence involved in all these cases is under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, along with other offences either under the Indian Penal Code or under other Special Acts.

(2.) Since the issues involved in all these Criminal Original Petitions are one and the same, all the Criminal Original Petitions were heard together and disposed by this common order.

(3.) The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in all these petitions would contend that, the issue involved in all the Criminal Original Petitions is already covered by a judgment of this Court in Jeevanandham and others Vs. State rep. by Inspector of Police reported in 2018(2) L.W. (Crl.) 606. According to the petitioners, in all the cases, the petitioners have been charged with for an offence under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, and admittedly, in all cases, the respective complaints have been filed either by the Inspector of Police or Sub-Inspector of Police in the respective Police Stations. In some cases, after investigation, final reports have also been filed, and the learned Judicial Magistrates have also taken cognizance of offence, in some cases, the investigation is still pending.