Jeyasingh Appavo v. M.Neelamegam

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 30.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Crl.M.P. Nos. 1271 & 1272 of 2026 Mr.Jeyasingh Appavo ..Petitioner Vs.

Mr.M.Neelamegam ..Respondent Prayer in Crl.M.P.No.1271/2026:Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 438(1) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 to suspend the sentence imposed by the Hon'ble I Additional Sessions Judge, City Civil Court, at Chennai in Judgment and confirming the order of conviction dated 09.01.2025 in Crl.A.No.265 of 2024 in CC 93 of 2016 on the file of XXV Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, and enlarge the petitioner on bail.

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Prayer in Crl.M.P.No.1272/2026:Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 to grant exemption from surrender of the petitioner from the I Additional Sessions Judge, City Civil Court Chennai in the Judgment and confirming the sentence order of conviction dated 09.01.2025, passed in Crl.A.No.265 of 2024 in CC 93 of 2016 on the file of XXV Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore pending disposal of the above Criminal Revision. For Petitioner ::

Mr.R.C.Paul Kanagaraj

O R D E R

The petitioner has preferred the above revision challenging the judgment dated 09.01.2025 passed by the learned I Additional Sessions Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai in Crl.A.No.265 of 2024 confirming the judgment of the learned Magistrate convicting the petitioner for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, and sentencing him to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six months and to pay the cheque amount to the complainant as compensation, in default, to undergo one month simple imprisonment. The instant petitions have been filed to 2\7

suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner and to exempt the petitioner from surrendering before the Trial Court, pending disposal of the above revision.

2. It is the case of the respondent that the petitioner had issued a cheque for a sum of Rs.8,10,000/- 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 50% of the cheque amount.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the materials available on record.

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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 50% of the cheque amount, this Court is inclined to suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner and exempt the petitioner from surrendering before the Trial Court, subject to the following conditions:

(i) The petitioner/Accused shall deposit 50% of the cheque amount to the credit of CC. No. 93 of 2016 on the file of learned XXV Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, Chennai-8, 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 4\7

imposed on the petitioner/Accused shall be suspended, on him executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties each for a likesum to the satisfaction of the learned XXV Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, Chennai-8 ; (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 he is not able to appear before the Trial Court on any day, he 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.

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6. Accordingly, these Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions are ordered.

30.01.2026 Tsg (2/2) To

1. The I Additional Sessions Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai.

2. The XXV Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, Chennai-8 6\7

SUNDER MOHAN,J.

Tsg Crl.M.P. Nos. 1271 & 1272 of 2026 30.01.2026 7\7