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Madras High CourtCRL MP/5570/2026ordered

B.Sathishkumar v. E.Sivakumar

2026-03-27Honourable Mr.Justice C.Kumarappan5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 27-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN IN CRL RC NO. 729 OF 2026 B.Sathishkumar ..Petitioner in both Crl.M.Ps.

Vs E.Sivakumar ..Respondent in both Crl.M.Ps.

PRAYER in Crl.M.P.No.5570 of 2026: Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 438(1) of BNSS, to suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner in C.C.No. 32/2020 on the file of the Metropolitan Magistrate Court -VIII, George Town, Chennai dated 22.08.2024 by the VII Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chennai in Criminal Appeal No.711 of 2024 dated 24.02.2026 under Section 138 of N.I Act, under Section 255(2) and Section 357(3) of Cr.PC of conviction the above appeal. PRAYER in Crl.M.P.No.5571 of 2026: Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 528 of B.N.S.S, to exempt the petitioner to surrendering in pursuant to the order by the VII Additional Sessions Judge, Chennai in C.A.No. 711/2024, dated 24.02.2026 against the order of the Metropolitan Magistrate Court - VIII, George Town, Chennai in C.C.No.32 of 2020 dated 22.08.2024, pending disposal of the above mentioned Crl.RC. For Petitioner:

Mr.V.Jai Hari Sudhan

ORDER

The petitioner has preferred the above revision challenging the judgment dated 24.02.2026 passed by the learned VII Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chennai in Criminal Appeal No.711 of 2024, confirming the judgment of the learned Magistrate convicting the petitioner for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, and sentenced him to undergo six months Simple Imprisonment and to pay compensation of Rs.4,80,000/-, and in default to undergo Simple Imprisonment for 1 1⁄2 months. The instant petitions have been filed to 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.4,80,000/- towards discharge of liability; that when the said cheque was presented for collection, it was returned for the reason 'payment stopped by Drawer'; 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.

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 grant suspension of sentence and exempt the petitioner from surrendering before the Trial Court, subject to the following conditions:

(i) The petitioner is ordered to be enlarged on bail, on condition that the petitioner shall deposit 50% of the cheque amount to the credit of C.C.No. 32/2020 on the file of the learned Metropolitan Magistrate Court -VIII, George Town, Chennai 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

his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Trial Court.

(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 a 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 that 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. (vi) On the failure of the petitioner/accused, depositing the above said amount, it is open to the Trial Court to commit the petitioner/accused into custody for undergoing the sentence.

6. Accordingly, these Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions are ordered. 27-03-2026 2/2 NSL

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

NSL To

1. The Metropolitan Magistrate Court -VIII, George Town, Chennai.

2. The VII Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chennai. IN CRL RC NO. 729 OF 2026 27-03-2026 2/2