It was brought to the knowledge of the judge that 2,14,901 FIRs had been closed by magistrate courts across the state for non-filing of chargesheets by the police within the statutory time limit. iStock photoMadras High Court has been informed that Tamil Nadu police have initiated disciplinary proceedings against at least 7,324 officers for failing to file final reports within the statutory time limit which resulted in closure of over 2.14 lakh FIRs by trial courts. There were 1,72,602 cases between 2010 and 2018, according to a counter-affidavit, which also claimed that the lower judiciary closed FIRs as the police had not filed chargesheets on time. The court was also informed that a circular, dated January 30, was issued to all station house officers and investigating officers to file final reports in cases within the time prescribed by the law. The circular directed officers to list cases which were not taken on the file wherein final reports were filed within the prescribed time to avoid closure under Section 468 of CrPc.

Source: The Telegraph February 06, 2019 09:22 UTC