FIR against student quashed on condition of planting 10 saplings

CHENNAI: Taking a lenient view considering the future of a college student who was part of a gang that raised a banner on bus route, the Madras High Court agreed to quash the First Information Report (FIR) against him – but with a rider: the youngster should plant at least 10 saplings and take care of them for a month.

The student, E Durai Raj, was part of a group of youth who had indulged in sloganeering and raised a banner ‘Pachaiyappa’s College, 47A – ICF route opening day’. The Ayanavaram police had booked him for unlawful assembly and causing public nuisance, along with relevant sections in Tamil Nadu City Police Act.

When Durai Raj’s plea seeking to quash the FIR came before him for hearing, Justice MS Ramesh noted that the petitioner was a student whose career should not be affected because of his involvement in a criminal case. “This court is of the view that if the proceedings could be quashed with a condition that the petitioner should undertake social service, the ends of justice could be secured.”

It was clarified during the hearing that the student was from Dr Ambedkar Government Law College, Pudupakkam, and not a student of Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, as mentioned in the FIR. Pointing out that the presence of the student at the place of occurrence was not in dispute, Justice Ramesh directed him to plant at least 10 saplings in the campus of Dr Ambedkar Government Law College, Pudupakkam, and ensure that the trees were well watered at least for one month. The judge also directed Durai Raj to report the action taken to the principal of Dr Ambedkar Government Law College.