Appeal dismissed — ruling against A.Chidambaram (Petitioner)
In Short
A property buyer wanted the police to register a criminal case against two people for allegedly creating fake settlement and release deeds over his land. The lower court refused, stating it was a civil property dispute, and the High Court agreed, dismissing the buyer's petition.
The Parties
Party A: A.Chidambaram
Party B: State Rep. by The Superintendent of Police Chengalpattu District, The Inspector of Police District Crime Branch Chengalpattu District, John Abraham Nelson, and J.N.Ivy Shyana Alias J.N.T. Shyana Nayeem
Advocates & Judges
For Party A: Learned Advocate Mr. S.Haja Mohideen Gisthi, Assisted by Learned Advocate Mr. Jaga Jeevan and Learned Advocate Mr. S.Abdul Mussawir Khan
For Party B: Learned Advocate Mr. M.Dinesh, GA (Criminal Side) for Respondents 1 and 2, and Learned Advocate Mr. M.P.John Peter for Respondents 3 and 4
Judge(s): Hon'ble Justice Shamim Ahmed
What the Case Was About
The buyer had purchased nearly two acres of land through registered sale deeds back in 2005 and got the revenue records updated in his name. Years later, he found out that two other individuals had executed a settlement deed and a release deed in 2014 regarding portions of the same land. Claiming these documents were forged and fabricated to steal his property, the buyer filed a police complaint in 2024. When the police did not register an FIR, he approached a magistrate to force an investigation. The magistrate dismissed the request, calling it a civil dispute, which led the buyer to file a revision case in the High Court.
Judgment Date
09-10-2026
The Outcome
The court dismissed the criminal revision case, upholding the magistrate's decision that the dispute is civil in nature and that the police were right not to register an FIR after such a long delay.
What the Court Looked At
- The court noted that the buyer purchased the property in 2005, but waited nearly 19 years until 2024 to file a complaint alleging forgery.
- The court observed that the other parties claimed ownership originating from an old sale deed dating back to 1949 and produced parent title documents during earlier police inquiries.
- The court considered that mere execution and registration of documents by persons claiming title over a property does not automatically constitute forgery or a criminal offense without foundational proof of a false document.
- The court recognized that revenue records and pattas do not by themselves override registered parent title deeds or prove criminal cheating.
The dispute between the parties is purely civil in nature, and the remedy lies before a civil court rather than through criminal prosecution after an enormous delay.
What This Means For You
Waiting nearly two decades to raise a hue and cry over property documents can severely weaken your position if you try to bring criminal charges. In this case, the buyer sat on his grievance for 19 years while other parties registered documents based on older ancestral titles, leading the court to treat the matter as a civil property disagreement rather than a criminal fraud. If you find yourself tangled in overlapping property claims or disputed land titles, ignoring the issue or delaying action can shut the door on criminal remedies. Setback Solutions can help you understand your options and coordinate next steps clearly and simply.
You Still Have Options
If you are facing a complicated property dispute, dealing with a dismissed petition, or wondering how to handle a contested land claim, do not lose hope. You can still explore alternative remedies, seek a second opinion, or look into civil litigation options to protect your interests. Reach out to Setback Solutions for plain-language help and coordination to understand your options and figure out the next step. Please note that Setback Solutions is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and does not guarantee any specific court outcome.