T.M.Sureshkumar v. M.Varadhan

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 23.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN Crl.M.P.No.11819 of 2025 in Crl.R.C.No. 862 of 2025 T.M.Sureshkumar ....

Petitioner Vs M.Varadhan ....

Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 438 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to suspend the sentence of imprisonment imposed in the order dated 16.04.2025 made in Crl.A.No.112 of 2023 on the file of the Principal Sessions Court, at Chengalpattu whereof the Appellate Court the punishment confirming the conviction imposed in order dated 30.10.2023 made in C.C.No.827 of 2022 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate -I, Chengalpattu, |and enlarge the petitioner on bail pending disposal of the criminal revision petition.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Thirumoorthy 1/6

ORDER

This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed by the petitioner, seeking suspension of sentence imposed by the Principal Sessions Court, Chenglapttu in C.A.No.112 of 2023, dated 16.04.2025, confirming the Judgment dated 30.10.2023 passed in C.C.No.827 of 2022 by the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Chengalpattu and enlarge the petitioner on bail pending disposal of the above Criminal Revision. 2.

The petitioner herein is the accused in C.C.No.827 of 2022 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Chengalpattu. He was found guilty of the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and he has been convicted and sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of two years and awarded to pay the cheque amount of Rs.35,00,000/- within a period of one month. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner had filed an appeal in Crl.A No.112 of 2023 and the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Chengalpattu, by order dated 16.04.2025, had dismissed the above appeal, confirming the judgment and sentence imposed by the trial Court. Aggrieved by the same, the present revision has been filed. 3.

The learned counsel for the petitioner/accused would submit that there are arguable points available in the Criminal Revision Case and the 2/6

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. He would submit that the petitioner is ready to abide any condition to be imposed by this Court. 4.

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

5.

Considering the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner, coupled with the quantum of punishment imposed upon the petitioner and taking into consideration the fact that this criminal 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 and bail are granted on the following conditions:

(i) the petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.15,00,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Lakhs only) to the credit of C.C.No.827 of 2022 on the file of learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Chengalpattu, within a period of four weeks from today. Failing which, the order passed by this Court shall stand automatically cancelled. 3/6

(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) 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. (iv) On the petitioner depositing the amount as stated clause (i) supra, the sentence of imprisonment alone, imposed on the petitioner/accused, shall be suspended, on his execution of a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- with two sureties, each for a likesum to the satisfaction of the trial court;

(v) 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; (vi) 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 he is not able to appear before the trial Court on any day, he shall make arrangements to file an application under Section 355 of 4/6

BNSS, 2023 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;

6. With the above directions, this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is ordered.

23.06.2025 (2/3) Index : Yes/No : Yes/No Speaking/non-speaking order Lpp 5/6

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

Lpp To

1. The Principal Sessions Judge, Chengalpattu

2. The Judicial Magistrate No.I, Chengalpattu Crl.M.P.No.11819 of 2025 in 23.06.2025 (2/3) 6/6