Tue Oct 21 14:41:02 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Madurai Court Restricts Police Power During Preliminary Inquiries

MADURAI, October 21, 2025 (The Hindu) – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ruled that police cannot summon individuals during preliminary inquiries, a practice the court deemed potentially abusive. Justice B. Pugalendhi stated that such actions could lead to “kangaroo courts” operating under the guise of official investigations.

The ruling clarifies that a preliminary inquiry is strictly limited to reviewing the complaint and supporting documents provided by the complainant. If the review reveals a cognizable offense, police are obligated to immediately register a First Information Report (FIR) and commence a formal investigation. Furthermore, any inquiry conducted under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) must be completed within 14 days, with approval from a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and the complainant must be informed of the outcome.

The court emphasized that a preliminary inquiry should not become a “mini-trial” or a fact-finding mission to test the validity of allegations. Summons, governed by Section 179 BNSS, are only permissible during the course of a full investigation, which begins after the FIR is registered.

The ruling stemmed from a petition filed by R. Somasundaram, a mason from Madurai, who alleged that a lender, N. Arumugam, was demanding exorbitant interest on a loan and refusing to return his original property deed despite repayment. Somasundaram had filed a representation with the police requesting a preliminary inquiry, but no action was taken.

The court, while disposing of Somasundaram’s petition, directed the police to proceed according to the law. If the inquiry reveals evidence of a cognizable offense, they must register an FIR and conduct a full investigation. The ruling aims to ensure that police investigations are conducted within the bounds of the law and that individuals are not subjected to undue harassment during preliminary inquiries.

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