more-in MADURAI Taking cognisance of the fact that the name of an advocate, who had filed petitions against illegal hoardings, was retained as a history sheeter, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed removal of the name form the sheet. The court was hearing the case of advocate R. Venkateshwar of Thanjavur, who had filed public interest litigation petitions before the High Court Bench seeking removal of illegal hoardings at Peravurani in Thanjavur. The court ascertained the facts and directed the removal of hoardings. However, this move had irked the flex board owners and traders’ association of Peravurani, who developed animosity towards the advocate. One after another, false cases were foisted against him and the police registered FIRs in a number of cases. Subsequently, a history sheet was opened against him. Justice N. Anand Venkatesh, hearing the case, questioned the basis under which a history sheet was opened. The court observed that the history sheet against the advocate was illegal as it could only be opened if there was conviction. The police should open history sheet only after satisfying themselves that such a person was addicted to commission of crime. The thrust should be on habituality or propensity to commit a crime. In the present case, the complaints were made out of animosity against the advocate. The court quashed the retaining of the name in the history sheet and directed the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur, to remove it.

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