Siron Ratnabai v. Baskar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 03.01.2022

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Crl.M.P.Nos.13734 & 13735 of 2021 in Criminal Revision Case No.1052 of 2021 Siron Ratnabai ... Petitioner in both M.P's ..Vs..

Baskar ... Respondent in both M.P's PRAYER: Criminal Miscellaneous petitions filed under Section 397(1) & 482 of Cr.P.C to suspend the sentence and exempt the petitioner from surrendering before the Learned II Additional District and Sessions Judge, Erode in pursuant to the order passed in Crl.A.No.49 of 2020 dated 23.12.2020 on the file of the Learned II Additional District and Sessions Judge, Erode confirming the order passed in S.T.C.No.315 of 2018 dated 23.09.2019 on the file of the Learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Tract Court-II, Erode.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Chandrasekar in both M.P's

O R D E R

These Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions have been filed by the petitioner/accused, seeking suspension of sentence of imprisonment imposed by the order dated 23.09.2019 in S.T.C.No.315 of 2018 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court No.2, Erode and confirmed by the judgment dated 23.12.2020 in C.A.No.49 of 2020 on the file of the learned II Additional District and Sessions Judge, Erode and seeking to exempt the petitioner from surrendering before the trial court.

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

3. In the trial court judgment, for non-payment of the cheque amount in question, viz., Rs.5,00,000/- the petitioner/accused was convicted and sentenced for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, to undergo one year Simple Imprisonment. The petitioner had filed appeal in C.A.No.49 of 2020 before the II Additional District and Sessions Judge, FTC No.2, Erode and the Appellate Court by judgment dated 23.12.2020 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 and the petitioner may be exempted from surrendering before the Trial Court.

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, exemption from surrendering and bail are granted on the following conditions: (a) The petitioner/Accused shall deposit 50% of the cheque amount (Rs.5,00,000/-), namely, Rs.2,50,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs Fifty Thousand Only) before the Trial Court, within two 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 Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court II, Erode. (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. These Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions stand ordered accordingly.

Post the matter after four weeks for reporting compliance.

-sd/- 03/01/2022 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 II ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, ERODE.

2 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, FAST TRACK COURT-II, ERODE.

3 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE ERODE DISTRICT. [FOR INFORMATION] 4 THE SECTION OFFICER, CRIMINAL SECTION, HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

+1 C.C. to M/S MR.P.CHANDRASEKAR Advocate on payment of necessary charges SR.NO.37 Order in CRL MP.13734 & 13735/2021 in CRL RC.1052/2021 Date :03/01/2022 From 7.2.2001 the Registry is issuing certified copies of the BAIL/Anti.BAIL Orders in this format RW 04/01/2022