The Madras High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against 14 persons who were booked after allegedly gathering and raising slogans in support of the Palestinian people and against the alleged genocide.
Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan passed the order on August 31, 2026, in CRL OP No. 24299 of 2026.
Background of the Case
According to the prosecution, the petitioners had gathered on October 5, 2025, at around 6 pm and raised slogans supporting Palestinians. An FIR was thereafter registered at Gudalur Police Station in Crime No.269 of 2025 under Sections 189(2) and 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case was later taken up by the Judicial Magistrate, Gudalur, as STC No.201 of 2026.
The petitioners sought quashing of the proceedings, while the State informed the Court that investigation had been completed and the final report had already been filed.
The Court examined the legal meaning of an “unlawful assembly” and noted that an assembly becomes unlawful only when its common object falls within the circumstances specified by law, such as using criminal force or committing an offence.
"Only when the assembly fit into any of the above circumstances, it could be construed as unlawful. The accused had not shown any criminal force to commit any mischief, crime or any offence."
The Court further held that the charge sheet did not contain the necessary ingredients to attract Section 126(2) of the BNS.
Allowing the criminal original petition, the High Court quashed STC No.201 of 2026 against the petitioners alone.
The connected miscellaneous petitions were also closed.
