L.Gokila@ Gokilamani v. State Represented By
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 25.10.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR in Crl.A.No.1623 of 2025 L.Gokila @ Gokilamani W/o.Manoharan, Bill Collector / Jr.Asst., Coimbatore Corporation South Zone Kuniamuthur, Coimbatore.
Presently residing at, Door No.98/B, Porter Lane, Sarada Mill Road, Pothanur, Coimbatore.
...
Petitioner /Accused Vs.
The State Represented by, The Inspector of Police, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Coimbatore.
...
Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed under Section 389(2) of C.R.P.C / 430(1) of BNSS praying to suspend the sentence and enlarge the petitioner on bail passed by the learned Special Judge for the Trial of Cases under Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, Coimbatore in Special Calender Case No.07/2015, dated 30.09.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.V.N.Krishnamurthy For Respondent : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Additional Public Prosecutor
O R D E R
This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed to suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner by the judgment dated 30.09.2025 passed in Spl.C.C.No.07 of 2015 by the learned Special Judge for the Trial of Cases under Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, Coimbatore and grant bail to the petitioner pending disposal of the above criminal appeal.
2. The petitioner/Accused in Spl.C.C.No.07 of 2015 was convicted by the Trial Court by the judgment dated 30.09.2025 for the offences under Section 7 and a fine of Rs.5,000/- in default to undergo 3 months simple imprisonment and one year R.I and a fine of Rs.5,000/- under Section 13(2) r/w 13(i) (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 in default to undergo simple imprisonment for 3 months. The sentences are directed to run concurrently. Aggrieved by the said conviction, the petitioner filed Crl.A.No.1623 of 2025 before this Court along with the instant miscellaneous petition seeking suspension of sentence and bail.
3. During trial, on the side of the prosecution, PW1 to PW16 examined
and Exhibits 1 to 22 marked. On the side of the defence, no one was examined and Ex.D1 was marked and Material Objects M.O.1 to M.O.5 marked. On conclusion of the trial, the Trial Court on the evidence of witnesses and the materials produced, convicted the petitioner as stated above.
4. The petitioner was working as a Bill Collector / Junior Assistant in the Coimbatore Corporation, South Zone, Kuniamuthur. It is alleged that she demanded and received illegal gratification from the de-facto complainant.
5. The contention of the petitioner is that on 12.11.2014, the de-facto complainant met her at her office in Kuniamuthur and submitted an application along with the connected documents for the assessment of land tax for a property standing in the name of his father, Mr.Velumani. The petitioner allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs.2,500/- as illegal gratification for inspecting the land, assessing the tax, and issuing a demand notice. Later, at the request of the de-facto complainant, on 17.12.2014, the petitioner reduced the bribe amount to Rs.1,500/-. Thereafter, the de-facto complainant contacted the petitioner over the phone on 22.12.2014, when the petitioner insisted that he pay Rs.1,500/- as earlier demanded and directed him to come to the
Corporation office to hand over the amount. Subsequently, the de-facto complainant (P.W.2) lodged a complaint with the respondent police, who registered a case and organized a trap. During the trap operation, the petitioner demanded and accepted Rs.1,500/- from the de-facto complainant (P.W.2) on 24.12.2014 in the presence of the official witness, Mr.Ravindran (P.W.3).
6. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) on the other hand, submitted that in this case, the petitioner initially demanded a bribe of Rs.2,500/- on 12.11.2014 and made a second demand on 17.12.2014 over the phone, reducing the amount to Rs.1,500/-. On 24.12.2014, the petitioner was caught red-handed while receiving the bribe amount of Rs.1,500/-. In this case, on the side of the prosecution, 16 witnesses were examined as PW1 to PW16, and Exhibits P1 to P22 and Material Objects M.O.1 to M.O.5 were marked. On the side of the defence, no witnesses were examined, and one document, Ex.D1, was marked. The trial Court delivered a detailed and elaborate judgment, discussing the defence raised by the petitioner and finding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. It is further submitted that the petitioner / accused has been on bail since 30.09.2025.
7. Considering the fact that the sentence of imprisonment imposed on the petitioner has already been suspended by the trial Court and the fact that there are arguable points involved in this appeal and it would take some time for the appeal to be taken up for final hearing, this Court is inclined to suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner.
8. Accordingly, the substantive sentence of imprisonment imposed on the petitioner is suspended till the disposal of the above appeal and she is ordered to be enlarged on bail, on condition that she shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the trial Court.
9. Further, the petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on the first working day of every six months at 10.30 a.m., until the disposal of the criminal appeal and if she is not able to appear before the Trial Court on that day, she 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 her absence as directed by the Trial Court.
10. Accordingly, this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is ordered.
25.10.2025 nvi To 1.The Special Judge for the Trial of cases under Prevention of Corruption Act,1988,Coimbatore.
2. The Inspector of Police, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Coimbatore.
3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
M. NIRMAL KUMAR , J., nvi in Crl.A.No.1623 of 2025 25.10.2025 (2/2)