Shanmugaraj Murali Sundaram v. M/S. Reddington (India ) Ltd.,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16-06-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR in CRL OP No. 4425 of 2026 Shanmugaraj Murali Sundaram Director, Residence:

Shanmugaraj Murali Sundaram, No. 25/21, 1st Street, Indian Bank colony, Simco- Meter Road, Trichy 620 021.

Also at:

No.8, 2nd Floor, 10th Avenue, Krishna Sweets Upstairs, Ashok Nagar, Chennai 600 010.

Also at No. 9/1, Valliammal Street, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010.

Also at No. 70. Central Street, Kilpauk Garden Colony, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010.

Petitioner(s) Vs M/s. Reddington (India ) Ltd., Rep. by Mr.M.Sundararajan, Senior Legal Executive, SPL Guindy House, 95, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai 600 032.

Respondent(s)

PRAYER: This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS, to extend the time granted in Crl.OP.No.4425 of 2026 dated 23.02.2026 on the file of this Court.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.V.Illanchezian

ORDER

This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed, seeking extension of the time granted by this Court in Crl.OP.No.4425 of 2026, dated 23.02.2026.

2. The petitioner/accused was convicted by the trial Court in a complaint filed by the respondent/complainant under Section 138 and 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Thereafter, the petitioner had preferred an appeal before the Principle Sessions Judge, Chennai along with a petition seeking suspension of sentence. The learned II Additonal City Civil Court, Chennai, by order dated 05.01.2026, while suspending the sentence imposed on the petitioner, directed him to deposit a sum of Rs.9,88,228/- i.e., 15% of the 1/3rd of the cheque amount to the credit of C.C.No.863 of 2018 before the trial Court.

3. Aggrieved by the said order, the petitioner filed Crl.O.P.No.4425 of 2026 before this Court. By order dated 23.02.2026, this Court directed the petitioner to deposit 7.5% of 1/3rd of the cheque amount to the credit of S.T.C.No.863 of 2018 (sic) before the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, FTC-V,

Saidapet, Chennai, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, the order dated 23.02.2026 passed in Crl.O.P.No.4425 of 2026 was made available to the petitioner only in April 2026. Thereafter, the petitioner mobilised the required amount and approached the trial Court for depositing the same by way of demand draft. However, the trial Court was not inclined to receive the demand draft for the reason that the period stipulated by this Court had already expired.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner also produced a copy of the demand draft to substantiate the said contention. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to prosecute the appeal and seek early disposal. Therefore, if the time granted by this Court in Crl.O.P.No.4425 of 2026 is not extended, the petitioner would be put to great hardship. Hence, he prayed for extension of time.

6.

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

7. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court is inclined to extend the time granted to the petitioner to comply with the condition imposed in Crl.O.P.No.4425 of 2026, dated 23.02.2026. 8.

Accordingly, the Criminal Miscellaneous Petition stands allowed. Consequently, the time for depositing 7.5% of 1/3rd of the cheque amount to the credit of C.C.No.863 of 2018 on the file of the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, FTC-V, Saidapet, Chennai, is hereby extended for a further period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order being hosted in the High Court Website.

9.

On such deposit being made by the petitioner within the extended time, the order passed in Crl.O.P.No.4425 of 2026, dated 23.02.2026, shall stand revived.

16-06-2026 Jd

To

1. The III Additional Judge (FAC), II Additional City Civil Court, Chennai.

2. The Metropolitan Magistrate, FTC-V, Saidapet, Chennai.

3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

M.NIRMAL KUMAR J.

jd 16-06-2026