Pachiyappan v. The State Rep. By
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 08.07.2024
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI in Crl.A.No.298 of 2023 C.Pachiyappan ... Petitioner/A1 Vs.
State represented by, The Inspector of Police, NIB CID, Police Station, Kanchipuram (Crime No.6 of 2019) ... Respondent Prayer : Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Sections 389 of Criminal Procedure Code, praying to suspend the sentence imposed by the learned Principal Special Court for NDPS Act cases, Chennai passed in C.C.No.137 of 2019 dated 05.07.2022 and enlarge the petitioner on bail pending disposal of the Criminal Appeal No.298 of 2023.
For Petitioner : Mr.N.Mani Maran For Respondent : Mrs.G.V.Kasthuri Additional Public Prosecutor *****
ORDER
Page No.1 of 6
This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking to suspend the sentence of imprisonment imposed by the Principal Special Court for NDPS Act cases, Chennai passed in C.C.No.137 of 2019 dated 05.07.2022 and enlarge the petitioner on bail pending disposal of the Criminal Appeal No.298 of 2023.
2. The petitioner/appellant was convicted for the offences u/s 8(c) r/w 20 (B)(ii)(C) and 29 of NDPS Act and was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment of 12 years with a fine of Rs.1,50,000/-, in default to pay the fine amount, was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a further period of 6 months and for the offence u/s.29 of NDPS Act, the petitioner was sentenced to undergo seven years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs.50,000/- and in default to undergo six months rigorous imprisonment vide judgment dated 05.07.2022 made in C.C.No.137 of 2019 by the learned Principal Special Judge for EC & NDPS Act cases, Chennai. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner has filed the above appeal along with this petition seeking suspension of sentence.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that there are lot of material contradictions in the evidence of the prosecution and the prosecution evidence is also highly unbelievable and there is no previous case Page No.2 of 6
pending against the petitioner. He would further submit that the petitioner is under incarceration for more than 5 years, which is nearly 50% of the punishment imposed by the trial Court and now he is confined in Central Prison, Madurai. Accordingly, he prays for suspension of sentence.
4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police submitted that the contraband seized from the petitioner is a commercial quantity. Hence, she vehemently opposed to grant of suspension of sentence.
5. Heard the learned counsel on both side.
6. Normally, offences under NDPS Act are offences against society and therefore the courts should be very circumspect while granting suspension of sentence. However, when the accused have been under incarceration for sometime and when there are points in the appeal, which favour the accused, then the courts should not shy from granting suspension of sentence, as the liberty of the individual would be at stake if the appeal results in acquittal at a later point of time. In this regard, the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Rabi Prakash Vs. The State of Odisha reported in 2023 LiveLaw (SC) 533 is of relevance and the material portion of the said judgment is quoted hereunder :- Page No.3 of 6
"4. As regard to the two conditions contained in Section 37 of the NDPS Act, learned counsel for the respondent - State has been duly heard. Thus, the 1st condition stands complied with. So far as the 2nd condition re: formation of opinion as to whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that the petitioner is not guilty, the same may not be formed at this stage when he has already spent more than three and a half years in custody. The prolonged incarceration, generally militates against the most precious fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and in such a situation, the conditional liberty must override the statutory embargo created under Section 37(1)(b)(ii) of the NDPS Act."
7. Having regard to the fact that there are arguable points involved in the criminal appeal and further, the appeal is not likely to be taken up for final hearing in the near future and also considering the fact that the accused has been under incarceration for more than five years, applying the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, I am of the considered opinion that the petitioner is entitled for the relief of suspension of sentence.
8. Accordingly, the substantive sentence of imprisonment alone is suspended and the petitioner is directed to be enlarged on bail, on condition that the petitioner Page No.4 of 6
shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only), with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Principal Special Court for NDPS Act cases, Chennai and on further condition that the petitioner shall appear before the respondent on every Monday at 10.30 a.m., pending appeal.
9. Further, it is made clear that, if the petitioner indulge in similar offence in the future, the suspension of substantive sentence alone granted today will automatically stand dismissed without any further reference to this Court.
10. This criminal miscellaneous petition is ordered accordingly. Post the main appeal as per seriatum.
08.07.2024 1/2 rap M.DHANDAPANI , J.
rap To
1. The Principal Special Court for NDPS Act cases, Chennai 2.The The Inspector of Police,NIB CID, Police Station,Kanchipuram 3.The Central Prison, Madurai Page No.5 of 6
4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. in Crl.A.No.298 of 2023 08.07.2024 1/2 Page No.6 of 6