The suomotu W.P.Crl.No. 618 of 2025 has been ordered to be registered and placed before this Bench by the Honourable Chief Justice on the note that was made by this Court pursuant to the constitution of the dedicated bench and the entire note that was made in Roc.No.148/2025/Crl. Side is extracted hereunder for ready reference:
1. It is brought to the notice of this Court that this bench is, inter alia constituted as a Dedicated Bench for implementing the Pilot Project to identify and dispose of Criminal Cases involving offences punishable with imprisonment of up to 3 years, pending at the trial, appeal, or revision stage for more than 3 years in the State of Tamil Nadu. This initiative is in accordance with the guidance of the Hon’ble Committee of the Supreme Court of India to suggest measures for reducing the backlog of criminal cases at all levels.
2. During further interaction, it was guided that this can be extended to offences like Section 506(ii) of the IPC and others, which may carry a punishment of more than 3 years but overall will be suitable for approach to be adopted in the project and align with the procedures that the Dedicated Bench may adopt for the swift disposal of cases.
3. Apart from the cases pending with the Principal Bench of the Madras High Court, the Dedicated Bench must consider passing appropriate orders for cases pending at the trial, appeal, or revision stages before the District Courts throughout the jurisdiction of the Principal Bench. This must be done through the exercise of powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India and Section 528 of B.N.S.S, 2023/Section 482 of Cr.P.C., with the aim to:
(a) Identify compoundable cases and attempt to resolve them through direct negotiations and Alternative Dispute Resolution methods;
(b) In non-compoundable cases, identify suitable cases and consider the possibility of compromise and settlement between parties, as per the dictum in Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab and Anr. [(2012) 10 SCC 303] and related judgments, encouraging parties to come forward and passing orders accordingly;
(c) Address the withdrawal of prosecution of suitable cases by the government, deemed appropriate;
(d) Exercise the power to quash cases on the grounds of delay, where circumstances permit, to safeguard the right to a speedy trial guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India; and
(e) Issue directions related to cases from private complaints, such as those under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, pending in the subordinate judiciary. Use strategies like compounding, ADR methods such as Mediation, and special approaches for batch/bulk cases, etc., filed by institutions/commercial organisations;
(f) Issue general directions for the use of ADR methods, such as Mediation, regarding matters that are also pending with the Principal Bench.
4. The goal is to identify categories and recommend or apply appropriate solutions and pass orders to reduce the clogs in the wheel of the administration of criminal justice, ensuring proper case flow and availability of quality time for the trial of appropriate cases.
5. Since continuing directions or orders need to be issued within the scope of the Pilot Project as per the guidance of the Hon’ble Committee of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, as suggested by the Committee itself, it is just and necessary to initiate a Suo-motu Writ Petition (Crl.) with the following cause title and parties. Further, any additional parties can be impleaded at a later stage.”
List the Suo Motu case every day
5. The appointment of a nodal officer for this purpose can also be considered by the respective Director General of Police. The respective Superintendent of Police / Commissioner of Police shall also oversee and ensure that information is furnished to this Court quickly. It is made clear that the dedicated bench has to act swiftly and therefore the information shall be furnished at once in one or two working days. This suo motu W.P.Crl. No. 618 of 2025 shall be listed every day. Suitable cases may be brought to this Court even from tomorrow (i.e.19.08.2025).
Parties may appear through video conferencing
6. It is made clear that the parties shall appear before this Court directly or by video conference through the concerned Police Station. Additionally, this Court will hold the sittings through the video conferencing facility of Courts below. Flexible methods can be adopted for different kinds of cases.
Direction to district judiciary prosecution and police
10. The District Judiciary, the Prosecution and the Police or the concerned authorities and the members of the Bar appearing in the matters can all bring to the notice of this Court any suitable case which will be listed with the same nomenclature as before the trial Court and will be dealt with appropriately.
Party
Suo Motu vs. The State of Tamil Nadu and others – W.P.Crl.No.618 of 2025 – August 18, 2025 Hon’ble Mr. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy.
