D.Sathyanarayanan v. V.Raja

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN D. Sathyanarayanan

...Petitioner

-vsV. Raja

...Respondent

PRAYER: Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 438 of BNSS, to suspend the sentence of 6 months of simple imprisonment passed in C.C.No.7968 of 2018 dated 13.03.2024 by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, Fast Track Court, II, Egmore @ Allikulam, Chennai-3 pending disposal of the above Criminal Revision Case. For Petitioner :

Mr.S.Selvaraj

ORDER

The petitioner has preferred the above revision challenging the judgment dated 13.03.2024 passed by the learned II-Additional Sessions Judge, II- Additional City Civil Court, Chennai, in Crl.A.No.244 of 2024 confirming the judgment of the learned Metropolitan Magistrate convicting the petitioner for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Page No.1/5

Instruments Act, and sentencing him to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six months, with a default sentence of simple imprisonment for two months besides directing the petitioner to pay compensation of Rs.4,50,000/-. The instant petition has been filed to suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner.

2. It is the case of the respondent that the petitioner had issued a cheque for a sum of Rs.4,50,000/- towards discharge of liability; that when the said cheque was presented for collection, it was returned stating 'Funds Insufficient'; that in spite of the statutory notice, the petitioner did not make the payment; and hence liable for the said offence.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has raised substantial grounds in the above revision; that the petitioner has rebutted the statutory presumption; that the judgment of the Courts below are liable to be set aside; and that, to show his bona fides, the petitioner is willing to deposit 40% of the cheque amount.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the Page No.2/5

materials available on record.

5. Having regard to the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner that there are substantial grounds raised in the above revision which require consideration, and the fact that the petitioner is willing to deposit 40% of the cheque amount, this Court is inclined to suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner, subject to the following conditions: (i) The petitioner/Accused shall deposit 40% of the cheque amount to the credit of C.C.No.7968 of 2018 on the file of learned Metropolitan Magistrate, Fast Track Court - II, Egmore @ Allikulam, Chennai - 3, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order; (ii) On such deposit being made, the Trial Court shall redeposit the said amount in a Fixed Deposit Account, in any one of the Nationalized Banks, renewable thereafter periodically.

The disbursal of this amount shall be decided at the culmination of the Criminal Revision Case; (iii) Thereafter, the sentence of imprisonment alone imposed on the petitioner/Accused shall be suspended, on him executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties Page No.

each for a likesum to the satisfaction of the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, Fast Track Court - II, Egmore @ Allikulam;

(iv) The petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Trial Court may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book and mobile numbers to ensure their identity; (v) The petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on the first working day of every month at 10.30 a.m. until the disposal of the revision and if she is not able to appear before the Trial Court on any day, she shall make arrangements to file an application under Section 317 Cr.P.C., and shall appear before the Trial Court on any other day in lieu of the date of his absence, as directed by the Trial Court; and (vi) On the failure of the petitioner/Accused, depositing the said amount, it is open to the Trial Court to commit the petitioner/accused into custody for undergoing the sentence.

6. Accordingly, this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is ordered. 20.01.2026 (2/2) Mac Page No.4/5

SUNDER MOHAN, J.

Mac To 1.The II Additional City Civil Court, Chennai.

2.The Metropolitan Magistrate, Fast Track Court - II, Egmore @ Allikulam, Chennai-3 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

in Crl.R.C.No.77 of 2026 20.01.2026 (2/2) Page No.5/5