Sheik Subhani @ Sheik Syed Subhani, v. Mr. Shankar, Ips., and 6 Others

ORDER Alleging that the order of this Court dated 20.03.2025 made in W.P.No.6639 of 2025 has not been complied with, the petitioner has filed the present contempt petition.

¶2The case of the petitioner is that he is running a recreation club at No.4/1, MTH Road, Padi, Chennai 50 and that the premises was sealed by the 5th respondent on 30.01.2025. Challenging the same, the petitioner filed W.P.No.6639 of 2025 before this Court. This Court, by an order dated Page3 of 6

20.03.2025, directed the 5th respondent to de-seal the petitioner's premises, subject to the condition that neither the petitioner nor his lessee shall conduct any illegal activities in the name of 'Sheshadri Recreation Club' with its members and further directed them to file an undertaking affidavit to that effect before the 5th respondent. It is the further case of the petitioner that despite the said order, the 5th respondent once again sealed the premises on 17.09.2025, thereby wilfully disobeying the order of this Court and committing contempt.

¶3The 5th respondent has filed a detailed counter affidavit.

¶4The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents submitted that the petitioner is running a recreation club and that the 5th respondent, upon inspection of the premises and having found that illegal gambling activities were being conducted there, sealed the premises on

30.01.2025. The 5th respondent also registered a case in Crime No.65 of 2025 for the offences punishable under Sections 45 and 46 of the Tamil Nadu City Police Act. Thereafter, the petitioner approached this Court and this Court had directed the 5th respondent to deseal the premises of the petitioner, subject to the following conditions: "(i) the petitioner or his lessee shall not conduct any illegal activities in the name of Sheshadri Recreation Club with its members. Page4 of 6

(ii) the petitioner and his lessee shall file an undertaking affidavit to that extent, with the 3rd respondent." He further submitted that the 5th respondent, in due compliance with the order of this Court, had desealed the premises on 04.04.2025. However, the petitioner failed to furnish the necessary undertaking as directed by this Court and thereafter, continued to indulge in illegal activities. Upon receiving information that the petitioner was continuing such illegal activities, the 5th respondent inspected the premises on 17.09.2025 and on finding that illegal gambling activities were again being conducted there, registered a case in Crime No.818 of 2025 for the offences punishable under Sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, against the petitioner and others. Consequent upon the registration of the said case, the 5th respondent sealed the premises of the petitioner. He also submitted that the earlier desealing of the premises on 04.04.2025 was strictly in compliance with the orders of this Court. In the above circumstances, there is no violation of the order of this Court. He reiterated that the subsequent sealing was effected pursuant to the registration of a fresh case based on the illegal activities allegedly committed by the petitioner.

¶5This Court passed an order on 20.03.2025 directing the 5th respondent to desesal the premises of the petitioner. Pursuant to the same, the 5th respondent desealed the premises on 04.04.2025 and complied with the order of Page5 of 6 this Court. In such circumstances, this Court finds that no contempt has been committed by the 5th respondent. Accordingly, this contempt petition stands closed. 23-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order VKR CONToPoNo.o496oofo2026 A.D.JAGADISHoCHANDIRA,oJ. VKR CONToPoNo.o496oofo2026 23-02-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 23-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Sheik Subhani @ Sheik Syed Subhani, S/o. Sheik Nazar, Residing at 4/1, M.T.H. Road, Padi, Chennai-50. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. Mr. Shankar, IPS., Thtie Commissioner of Police, Police Commissionerate, Avadi, Chennai – 600 054. 2. Dr. K.Bhuvaneshwari, IPS., The Joint Commissioner of Police(West) Ambattur Range, SIDCO Industrial Buildings, Ambattur, Chennai. 3. Mr. P.Balaji, The Deputy Commissioner of Police Red Hills District M2, Milk Colony Police Station, Madhavaram, Chennai. 4. Mr. Frank D.Rueban The Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahavir Garden Road, Shanthi Nagar, KSR Nagar, Chennai - 600 0053. 5. Mr. S.Vijayakumar, The Inspector of Police (Law and Order) T3, Police Station, Korattur, Chennai. Page2 of 6 6. Mr. Vikram, Tahsildar Ambattur, Chennai. 7. Mr. Venkatesan, Village Administrative Officer Venkatraman Nagar, Korattur, Chennai, Tamilnadu-600 080 ..Contemnor(s) Contempt Petition is filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, for willful disobedience of the order dated 20.03.2025 in W.P.No. 6639 of 2025. For Petitioner(s): Mr.R.Rajesh Kumar For Respondent (s): Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan, Addl. Public Prosecutor