The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has quashed a First Information Report registered by Tallakulam police in Madurai in 2023 against a group of law students who had protested against the conduct of a conference for eradication of Sanatana Dharma in the city.
The FIR stated that despite warnings issued by the police officials, the students blocked the road and caused inconvenience to the public.
However, the students said they peacefully protested in front of the conference hall and it could not be considered an offence. The State submitted that though the charge sheet had been made ready, so far it had not been filed before the court.
Justice R. Vijayakumar said the students conducted the protest in front of the conference hall in a peaceful and democratic manner, and there was no allegation of any damage to public property.
In such circumstances, continuation of the criminal proceedings would only be an abuse of the process of law, the court said and quashed the FIR.
Published – August 22, 2026 08:20 pm IST
