Veeranan v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Nib - Cid- Dindigul,

in CRL A(MD)SR.No.2459/2026 N.MALA, J.

This petition has been filed to condone the delay of 350 days in filing the above criminal appeal against the judgement dated 29.10.2024, in CC.No.429/2003, passed by the learned I Additional District Judge, Special Court for NDPS Act Cases, Madurai.

2.Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi, learned Government Advocate [Crl.Side] accepts notice on behalf of the respondent.

3.The petitioner was convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and to pay a fine of Rs.1,00,000/-, and in default to undergo simple imprisonment for 6 months, for the offences under Section 8[c] read with 20[b][ii][C] of NDPS Act, in Crime No.26/2003. 4.The petitioner in the affidavit filed in support of the condone delay petition stated that due to financial constraints, his family members were

not able to file the criminal appeal in time and that the delay was neither wilful nor wanton. The petitioner further submitted that the conviction has caused severe prejudice, irreparable loss and hardship to the petitioner and hence, prayed that the delay of 350 days in filing the above appeal may be condoned.

5.Heard both sides and perused the materials on record. 6.The Hon'ble Supreme Court, vide order dated 02.01.2025, in SLP. [Crl.].No.18045/2024, in the case of Mahesh Singh Banzara Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh, following its earlier judgment, in the csae of Dilip S.Dahanukar Vs. Kotak Mahindra Co. Ltd [2007 [6] SCC 528], held that the right to appeal, particularly, when it concerns the liberty of the individual, is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and that the High Court, while dismissing the appeal solely on the ground of delay, was bound to examine the reasons for the delay. The Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the said case, condoned the delay of 1637 days in filing the appeal by accepting the similar reason of lack of monetary resources.

7.The petitioner herein, has also stated that due to financial constraints, the petitioner was not able to file the appeal in time. 8.Being satisfied with the reasons stated in the affidavit and in the light of the aforesaid judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, this Court is inclined to condone the delay of 350 days, giving an opportunity to the petitioner to contest the statutory appeal on merits. 9.Accordingly, the delay of 350 days in filing the criminal appeal is condoned and the petition is ordered.

22.01.2026 AP Internet: Yes

N.MALA,J AP CRL MP(MD) No.1207/2026 in CRL A(MD)SR.No.2459/2026 22.01.2026