Murugan v. M.Govindan

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Thursday, the Twenty Third day of December Two Thousand Twenty One PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr Justice A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS PETITION No.13559 of 2021 IN CRL RC.1037/2021 MURUGAN [ PETITIONER ] Vs M.GOVINDAN [ RESPONDENT ] Petition praying that in the circumstances stated therein and in the Memorandum of Grounds in CRL RC.1037/2021 on the file of the High Court, the High Court will be pleased to Suspend the Sentence of imprisonment imposed for the offence u/s 138 of NI Act and direction to pay the Cheque Amount of Rs.4,00,000/-(Four Lakhs only) as compensation u/s 357(3) of Cr.P.C to the respondent/respondent complaint i/d, 2months S.I by the Judgment 29.09.2016 in STC.No.21/2015 passed by the FTC Magistrate Court, Dharmapuri and the commuted/modified judgment/order dated 29/09/2021 in Crl.A.

26/2018 by the Principal district Judge, Dharmapurai wherein the appeal modified the sentence alone from 1 year S.I to 6 Months S.i. but upholding the to pay the Cheque Amount of Rs.4,00,000/- as compensation and may be released on bail pending disposal of main Crl.R.C.No.1037/2021. Order : This petition coming on for orders upon perusing the petition and the Memorandum of Grounds in CRL RC.1037/2021 on the file of the High Court and upon hearing the arguments of M/S M.RAMAMOORTHI, Advocate for the petitioner the court made the following order:- This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed by the Petitioner/accused, seeking suspension of sentence of imprisonment, imposed by the judgment dated 29.09.2016 made in S.T.C.No.21 of 2015 by the learned Fast Track Magistrate Court, Dharmapuri and confirmed by the judgment dated 29.09.

2021 passed in C.A.No.26 of 2018 by the learned Principal District Judge, Dharmapuri and enlarge the petitioner on bail pending disposal of the above revision.

2. This Court heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and also perused the materials placed on record.

3. In and by judgment of the trial court, for non-payment of the cheque amount in question, viz., Rs.4,00,000/- the petitioner/accused was convicted and sentenced for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, to undergo one year Simple Imprisonment and to pay a sum of Rs.4,00,000/- (Rupees Four Lakhs Only) as compensation to the respondent/complainant within one month and in default to undergo two month S.I. The petitioner had filed appeal in C.A.No.26 of 2018 before the learned Principal District Judge, Dharmapuri and the Appellate Court by judgment dated 29.09.2021, had dismissed the appeal and confirmed the conviction and sentence, against which, the present revision has been filed.

4. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner/accused, there are arguable points available in the Criminal Revision Case, which is not likely to be taken for final hearing in the near future and the 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 and the Petitioner may be enlarged on bail

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also considering the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner, 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:

(a) The petitioner/Accused shall deposit 50% of the cheque amount (Rs.4,00,000/-), namely, Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs Only) before the Trial Court, within three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and on such deposit being made, the Trial Court shall redeposit the said amount in a fixed deposit account in any nationalized bank, so that the amount accrues interest. The disbursal of this amount shall be decided at the culminnation of the Criminal Revision Case. Thereafter, the petitioner/accused is ordered to be released on bail, on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) with two sureties, of whom, one should be a blood relative, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Fast Track Magistrate Court, Dharmapuri. (b) The petitioner/accused 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 Pass Books to ensure their identities.

(c) 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 317 Cr.P.C 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. (d) On the failure of the Petitioner/Accused, depositing the said amount, it is open to the Trial Court to commit the petitioner/accused into custody for undergoing the sentence.

6. This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition stands ordered accordingly.

7. Post the matter after four weeks for reporting compliance. -sd/- 23/12/2021 This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned TRUE COPY Sub-Assistant Registrar (Statistics/C.S.) High Court, Madras - 600 104.

TO 1 THE FAST TRACK MAGISTRATE COURT, DHARMAPURI 2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE DHARMAPURI(FOR INFORMATION) 3 THE PRINCIPAL DISTRICT JUDGE,DHARMAPURI THE SECTION OFFICER, CRIMINAL SECTION,HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

C.C. to M/S M.RAMAMOORTHI Advocate on payment of necessary charges Sr.15450 Order in CRL MP.13559/2021 in CRL RC.1037/2021 Date :23/12/2021 From 7.2.2001 the Registry is issuing certified copies of the BAIL/Anti.BAIL Orders in this format RVR 23/12/2021