Malathi v. Srinivasan

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 05.04.2022

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.PONGIAPPAN Crl.M.P.Nos.4371 & 4373 of 2022 in Crl.RC.No.425 of 2022 Malathi ... Petitioner/Accused Vs.

Srinivasan ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions filed under Sections 397(1) & 482 of Cr.P.C to suspend the sentence of imprisonment imposed by the learned V Additional District and Sessions Judge, Coimbatore in C.A.No.310 of 2017 dated 30.09.2021 by confirming the judgment and sentence passed in CC.No.266 of 2017 dated 16.09.2017 by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court at Magisterial Level-II, Coimbatore and enlarge the petitioner on bail and to exempt the petitioner from surrendering before the trial court pending disposal of Crl.RC.No.425 of 2022.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.K.Rajagopal COMMON ORDER These Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions have been filed by the petitioner/accused, seeking to suspend the sentence of imprisonment imposed by the learned V Additional District and Sessions Judge, Coimbatore in C.A.No.310 of 2017 dated 30.09.2021 by confirming the judgment and sentence passed in CC.No.266 of 2017 dated 16.09.2017 by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court at Magisterial Level-II, Coimbatore and enlarge the petitioner on bail and seeking to exempt the petitioner from surrendering before the trial court pending disposal of the above revision petition.

2.

The petitioner herein is the accused in CC.No.266 of 2017 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court at Magisterial Level-II, Coimbatore. He was found guilty of the offence under Section 138 of NI Act and he has been convicted and sentenced as under:

S.No.

Conviction Sentence Section 138 of NI Act to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of nine months and to pay cheque amount of Rs.1,00,000/- + Rs.1,00,000/- totalling amount of Rs.2,00,000/- as compensation along with interest at the rate of 6% per annum from the date of cheque to till date of payment within a period of one month, in default to undergo three months simple imprisonment Aggrieved against the same, the petitioner had filed appeal in C.A.No.310 of 2017 and the learned V Additional District and Sessions Judge, Coimbatore by order dated 30.09.2021 had dismissed the appeal and confirmed the conviction and sentence, against which the present revision has been filed.

3.

According to the learned counsel for the petitioner/accused, there are arguable points available in the Criminal Revision Case and the petitioner/accused has got a fair chance of succeeding in the Criminal Revision Case and hence, the substantive sentence imposed against the Petitioner/accused may be suspended and the petitioner may be exempted from surrendering before the Trial Court. He would submit that the petitioner is ready to abide the condition imposed by this Court.

4.

Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and also perused the materials placed on record.

5.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, also considering the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner, further this revision is not likely to be taken for final hearing in the near future, this Court is of the view that the substantive sentence of imprisonment alone can be suspended on certain conditions. Accordingly, till the disposal of the Criminal Revision case, the reliefs of suspension of sentence, exemption from surrendering and bail are granted on the following conditions: (a) The petitioner/accused shall deposit 50% of the cheque amount(Rs.2,00,000/-) namely Rs.1,00,000/- to the credit of CC.No.266 of 2017 before the trial court i.e. the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court at Magisterial LevelII, Coimbatore within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and on such deposit being made, the trial court shall redeposit the said amount in a fixed deposit account in any nationalized bank, so that the

amount accrues interest. The disbursal of this amount shall be decided at the culmination of the criminal revision case.

Thereafter, the petitioner/accused is ordered to be released on bail, on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court at Magisterial Level-II, Coimbatore (b) The petitioner/accused and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impressions in the surety bonds and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhaar Cards or Bank Pass Books to ensure their identities.

(c) The petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on the first working day of every English Calendar month at 10.30 a.m., until the disposal of the revision petition 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 her absence, as directed by the trial Court.

6.

With the above directions, these Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions are ordered.

7. Post the matter after four weeks for reporting compliance. -sd/- 05/04/2022 This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned TRUE COPY Sub-Assistant Registrar (Statistics/C.S.) High Court, Madras - 600 104.

TO 1 THE V ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, COIMBATORE.

2 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, FAST TRACK COURT AT MAGISTERIAL LEVEL-II, COIMBATORE.

3 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE COIMBATORE [FOR INFORMATION] THE SECTION OFFICER CRIMINAL SECTION HIGH COURT, MADRAS +2 C.C. to M/S P.K.RAJAGOPAL Advocate on payment of necessary charges SR.NOS.5201 & 5200 Order in CRL MP.4371 & 4373/2022 in CRL RC.425/2021 Date :05/04/2022 From 7.2.2001 the Registry is issuing certified copies of the BAIL/Anti.BAIL Orders in this format JPA 07/04/2022