Manikandan v. State Represented By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 24-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN IN CRL A NO. 651 OF 2026 Manikandan S/o.Krishnan, Chellathoor Village, Pallipattu Taluk, Tiruvalllur District.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. State represented by The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tiruttani.

Crime No.560 of 2017 of R.K.Pet Police Station.

2. Mathi W/o.Venkateshan, Rajeev Gandhi Street, Chellathoor Colony, Pallipat Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

(R2/defacto complainant impleaded as per the order of this court dated 22.06.2026 in Crl.MP.No.10384 of 2026 in Crl.A.No.651 of 2026) ..Respondent(s)

Prayer: Criminal Miscellaneous is filed under Section 14(A)(1) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989 , to suspend the sentence imposed by the Learned Principal Sessions Judge, Tiruvallur in S.C.No.154 of 2021 dated 06.04.2026 and grant Bail to the Petitioner, pending disposal of the Criminal Appeal and pass such further or other orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.V.Balu For Respondent(s):Mr.M.Mohamed Riyaz, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The Defacto complainant has been arrayed as second Respondent, pursuant to the Order dated 22.06.2026 in Crl.MP.No.10384 of 2026. Despite service of notice on the Defacto complainant, there is no representation on behalf of the Defacto complainant.

2. The Petitioner has been aggrieved by the impugned Judgment dated 06.04.2026 passed by the Principal Sessions Court, Tiruvallur in S.C.No.154 of 2021. By the impugned Judgment, the Petitioner has convicted for the offences under Sections 3(1)(j), 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

3. The conviction and sentence imposed against the Petitioner/Appellant, vide impugned judgment are as follows:- Under Section Sentence 3(1)(j), 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) Rigorous imprisonment for each one year and fine of Rs.2,000/-, in default, to undergo each three months simple imprisonment.

The aforesaid sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner/appellant submitted that the petitioner/appellant was granted bail during trial and he has not misused the liberty granted to him and he has no bad antecedents. Hence, he prayed that the sentence imposed on the petitioner may be suspended and he may be enlarged on bail.

5. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent submits that the trial Court, after taking into consideration the oral and documentary evidence produced by the prosecution, rightly found that the Petitioner/Appellant guilty and convicted and sentenced him, as stated above. However, he opposed for granting suspension of sentence.

6. Heard the learned counsel for the Petitioner/Appellant and the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent and perused the materials on record.

7. The impugned Judgment itself records the period of sentence of imprisonment for the above three offences and the period of imprisonment, if any already had been undergone by the Petitioner shall be set off in terms of Section 428 of Cr.P.C.

8. There are arguable points available in the Criminal Appeal, which is unlikely to be taken up for final hearing in the near future. The Petitioner/Appellant appears to have a fair chance to succeed in the above appeal. The fine amount has been also paid by the petitioner/appellant.

9. Considering the fact that the period of sentence itself is one year and also taking note that the period of sentence would be over before the final appeal is taken up for hearing, this Court is inclined to grant the reliefs of suspension of sentence and bail imposed on the Petitioner/Appellant. Accordingly, pending disposal of the appeal, the substantive sentence of

imprisonment alone is suspended and the petitioner/appellant is enlarged on bail, subject to the following conditions:- " (i) The petitioner/appellant shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only), with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Principal Sessions Judge, Tiruvallur;

(ii) The petitioner/appellant shall appear before the trial Court on the first working day of every English calendar month at 10.30 a.m., until further orders."

10.

Accordingly, the Criminal Miscellaneous Petition stands ordered.

24-06-2026 VV To

1. The Principal Sessions Judge, Tiruvallur.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tiruttani.

3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras

C.SARAVANAN, J.

VV IN CRL A NO. 651 OF 2026 24-06-2026