Ravi @ Ravikumar v. The State Rep By, The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA in CRL.A.No.488 of 2026

1. Ravi @ Ravikumar

2. Santhi ..Petitioner(s) Vs.

State rep. by The Inspector of Police, Sathuvachari Police Station, Vellore.

Crime No.132 of 2020.

..Respondent(s) Prayer : Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 430 of BNSS, praying to suspend the sentence imposed by the learned Magalir Neethimandram, (Fast Track Mahila Court), Vellore in SC.No.172 of 2022, dated 06.04.2026 and enlarge the petitioners/appellants (A5 and A6) namely Ravi @ Ravi Kumar and Santhi, on bail, pending disposal of the Criminal Appeal.

For Petitioners :

Mr.S.Xavier Felix For Respondent :

Ms.J.R.Archana, Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

ORDER

This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed seeking suspension of sentence of imprisonment, imposed on the petitioners, by the learned Magalir Neethimandram, Fast Track Mahila Court, Vellore District in S.C.No.172 of 2022 vide judgment dated 06.04.2026, pending disposal of the Criminal Appeal.

2. The first petitioner and the second petitioner are A5 & A6 in the aforesaid case.

3. The conviction and sentence imposed against the petitioners/appellants, vide impugned judgment are as follows:- Rank of Accused Under Section Sentence A5 323 of IPC 6 months of rigorous imprisonment 304 (II) of IPC 3 years of rigorous imprisonment A6 304 (II) of IPC 3 years of rigorous imprisonment

4. The case of the prosecution is as follows: On the night of 10.03.2020, approximately at 11.00 p.m., a domestic dispute arose between A1 and his wife P.W.1. When the deceased Nandagopal (elder brother of P.W.1), accompanied by his uncle Balasubramanian (P.W.2) and others, attempted to mediate the issue, A1, along with A2 through A6, formed an unlawful assembly with the common object of committing a violent assault. The accused group allegedly launched a coordinated attack, initiated by A1, who verbally abused and struck the deceased in his face. This was followed by A2 striking the deceased on his chest and back, and A3 and A4 kicking him. The assault escalated as A5 and A6 (who are the husband and wife respectively) joined in, repeatedly striking the deceased on his face, chest and abdomen. When P.W.

1 and her family members attempted to intervene, they were also physically attacked by the accused group. During the incident, the accused gave a fatal blow by kicking the deceased in his chest, causing him to collapse and succumb to his injuries. Based on these overt acts and the resulting death, the respondent Police registered a case in Crime No.132 of 2022 for the offences under Sections 147, 294(b), 323 and 302 r/w. 149 of IPC.

5. During the trial, the prosecution examined 12 witnesses and marked 13 documents. On the side of the defence, A1 examined himself as D.W.1 and marked 8 documents. When the accused were questioned under Section 313 of Cr.P.C., they denied all incriminating circumstances.

6. After hearing the arguments of both sides, the Trial Court found the petitioners/appellants guilty and convicted and sentenced them as aforementioned. Aggrieved by the said conviction and sentence, A5 & A6 have preferred the present appeal along with a petition seeking suspension of sentence.

7. The learned counsel for the petitioners/appellants submitted that the petitioners/appellants have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the Trial Court, relying on the same set of evidence, has acquitted A1 to A4 but convicted the petitioners/appellants as mentioned supra. The learned counsel further submitted that while the first petitioner/A5 is the Headmaster in the Government High School at Vellore, the second

petitioner/A6 is the Vocational Teacher at Government High School. He also submitted that the petitioners/appellants were granted anticipatory bail by this Court during the Covid-19 pandemic and they did not misuse the liberty granted to them during that period. Consequently, the Trial Court has suspended their sentence till 30.04.2026. Further, he submitted that there are arguable points in the Criminal Appeal, which is unlikely to be taken up for final hearing in the near future and that the petitioners/appellants have a fair chance of succeeding in the appeal and hence, the sentence imposed on the petitioners/appellants may be suspended.

8. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent Police, submitting that the Trial Court has rightly appreciated and evaluated the evidence placed on record, vehemently opposed the petition for suspension of sentence.

9. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners/appellants and the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) for the respondent Police and perused the materials on record.

10. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, this Court is inclined to grant the relief of suspension of sentence to the petitioners/appellants, till the disposal of the Criminal Appeal, on the following conditions :- i. The petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- each (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only), with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magalir Neethimandram, Fast Track Mahila Court, Vellore District.

ii. The petitioners 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 Passbooks to ensure their identities.

iii. The petitioners shall appear before the Trial Court on the first working day of every English calendar month at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

11. This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition stands ordered accordingly. 17-04-2026 Sni To 1.The Inspector of Police, Sathuvachari Police Station, Vellore.

2.The Magalir Neethimandram, Fast Track Mahila Court, Vellore District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

Sni in CRL.A.No.488 of 2026 17-04-2026