Lawrence v. The State Rep By The Inspector Of Police
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 19.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Crl.M.P.No.24526 of 2025 in Crl.A.No.1941 of 2025 Lawrence ...
Petitioner /Appellant Vs.
The State Rep by The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Denkanikottai, Krishnagiri.
Crime No.9 of 2022 ...
Respondent / Complainant PRAYER: Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed under Section 389(1) of Cr.P.C. praying to suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner/appellant by the judgment dated 10.12.2025 in Special Sessions Case No.18 of 2023 on the file of the Court of Sessions, Fast Track Mahila Court, Krishnagiri and to enlarge the petitioner/appellant on bail pending disposal of the main Criminal Appeal.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Saikrishnan for Mr.M.Velan For Respondent : Mr.S.Balaji Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1 / 6
O R D E R
This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed to suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner by judgment dated 10.12.2025 in Special Case No.18 of 2023 on the file of the Court of Sessions, Fast Track Mahila Court, Krishnagiri, pending disposal of the above criminal appeal and enlarge the petitioner on bail.
2. The petitioner/accused in S.C.No.18 of 2023 was convicted by the Trial Court by judgment dated 10.12.2025, for the offence under Section 9(m) (f) r/w 10 of POCSO Act and sentenced to undergo five years rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/- in default, to undergo simple imprisonment for six months and was convicted for the offence under Section 506(i) of IPC and sentenced to undergo one year rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/- in default, to undergo simple imprisonment for six months. Aggrieved by the same, he filed Crl.A.No.1941 of 2025 before this Court along with the instant criminal miscellaneous petition seeking suspension of sentence and bail.
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3. The gist of the prosecution case is that the petitioner was working as the Headmaster of the School in which the victim girl was studying; that on the date of occurrence i.e., on 28.04.2022, the petitioner had inappropriately touched the breast of the victim girl and thereby committed the offence.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the allegations are false ; that the complaint is an after thought and lodged belatedly; and that there are several infirmities in the case of the prosecution and hence prayed for suspension of sentence.
5. Heard the Government Advocate (Crl.Side) and perused the counter affidavit of the respondent.
6. The petitioner has raised substantial grounds in the appeal. The appeal is not likely to be taken up in the near future. Considering all the above facts and the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant the relief of suspension of sentence to the petitioner.
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7. Accordingly, this criminal miscellaneous petition stands allowed and the sentence imposed on the petitioner is suspended till the disposal of the above criminal appeal and the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on the following conditions:
(i)The petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/-, with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Sessions Judge, Fast Track Mahila Court, Krishnagiri ; (ii)The petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Trial Court may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book and mobile numbers to ensure their identity; and (iii)The petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on the first working day of every month at 10.30 a.m. until the disposal of the appeal 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.
19.01.2026 Lpp 4 / 6
To 1.The Sessions Judge, Fast Track Mahila Court, Krishnagiri. 2.The Central Prison, Salem.
3.The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Denkanikottai, Krishnagiri.
4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
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SUNDER MOHAN, J.
Lpp in Crl.A.No.1941 of 2025 19.01.2026 6 / 6