Abdul Kalam @ Kalam v. The State Rep.By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 30.06.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR Crl. M.P. No. 10696 of 2026 in Crl.A. SR. No. 36740 of 2026 Abdul Kalam @ Kalam ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by The Inspector of Police, Mudaliarpet Police Station, Puducherry.

(Crime No.212 of 2023) ... Respondent To condone the delay of 64 days in filing the Criminal Appeal against the judgment dated 11.02.2026 passed in Spl.S.C.No.6 of 2024 on the file of the learned Special Judge (Under NDPS Act) / III Additional Sessions Judge, Puducherry.

For Petitioner : Mr. R. Bakiyalakshmi For Respondent : Mr. M.V. Ramachandramurthy, Public Prosecutor (Puducherry) 1/4

O R D E R

This Petition has been filed to condone the delay of 64 days in filing the Criminal Appeal against the judgment dated 11.02.2026 passed in Spl.S.C.No.6 of 2024 on the file of the Special Judge (Under NDPS Act) / III Additional Sessions Judge, Puducherry.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was convicted by the trial Court by judgment dated 11.02.2026 and is confined in prison. The delay of 64 days in filing the appeal is neither willful nor wanton. It was further submitted that the appeal is a statutory appeal and therefore, the delay may be condoned.

3. The learned Public Prosecutor (Puducherry) submitted that he has no serious objection to allowing the petition.

4. This Court has considered the submissions made on either side. Being satisfied with the reasons stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, this Court is inclined to condone the delay. 2/4

5. Accordingly, the petition is allowed and the delay of 64 days in filing the Criminal Appeal is condoned. The Registry is directed to number the Criminal Appeal, if it is otherwise in order. 30.06.2026 AT To 1.The Special Judge (Under NDPS Act) / III Additional Sessions Judge, Puducherry.

2.The Inspector of Police, Mudaliarpet Police Station, Puducherry.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.

AT Crl. M.P. No. 10696 of 2026 in Crl.A. SR. No. 36740 of 2026 30.06.2026 4/4