Pitchaimuthu v. Ramanathan

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Monday, the Twenty Ninth day of January Two Thousand and Twenty Four PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice M.DHANDAPANI in CRL RC(MD)No. 61 of 2024 PITCHAIMUTHU ... PETITIONER/PETITIONER Vs RAMANATHAN ... RESPONDENT/RESPONDENT Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed praying that in the circumstances stated therein and in the petition filed therewith the High Court may be pleased to Suspend the Sentence passed against the Petitioner in CA.No.118 of 2022 dt.30.10.2023 on the file of the III-Additional Dist. and Sess.Judge,Thanjavur at Pattukottai as confirmed in STC.No.82 of 2021 dt.24.11.2022 on the file of the on the file of the Judicial Magistrate court (FTC) Pattukottai.

Prayer in CRL RC(MD). 61/ 2024 :

To Set aside the judgement passed in CA.No.118 of 2022 on the file of the Learned III-Additional District and Sessions Judge,Thanjavur at Pattukottai dt.30.10.2023 by confirming the sentence and conviction passed in STC.No.82 of 2021 1/6

on the file of the Judicial Magistrate court (FTC) Pattukottai dated .24.11.202 by allowing the Revision.

Order : This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition coming up for orders on this day, upon perusing the petition filed in support thereof and upon hearing the arguments of MR.V.MUTHU KAMATCHI, Advocate for the petitioner, while admitting the Criminal Revision Case, the court made the following order:- The petitioner has filed this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition praying to suspend the sentence passed against him by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court, Pattukottai in STC.No.82 of 2021 dated 24.11.2022 as confirmed by the learned learned III-Additional District and Sessions Judge, Thanjavur @ Pattukottai, in Criminal Appeal No.118 of 2022 on 30.10.2023 and to enlarge him on bail, pending disposal of the Criminal Revision Petition.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner was convicted by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court, Pattukottai for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and sentenced him to undergo six months Simple Imprisonment and the accused shall pay the total compensation of Rs.12,00,000/- payable to the complainant within a period of two months from the date of the said Judgment, in default of payment, the accused is sentenced to undergo one month simple imprisonment. The learned III-Additional 2/6

District and Sessions Judge, Thanjavur @ Pattukottai, dismissed the appeal filed by the petitioner, in Crl.A.No.118 of 2022. Challenging the concurrent findings of the Courts below, the petitioner has preferred the present Criminal Revision along with the above Miscellaneous Petition seeking suspension of sentence.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that there are some arguable points involved in the criminal revision and he is ready to deposit 50% of the cheque amount before the trial Court and hence, he prays for suspension of sentence.

4. This Court has carefully considered the submission made by the counsel for the petitioner and also perused the materials available on record.

5. Considering the arguable points of the petitioner and the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the prima facie view that the sentence is to be suspended pending this Revision Case.

6. Accordingly, this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is allowed. The sentence imposed by the learned III-Additional District and Sessions Judge, Thanjavur @ Pattukottai, in Crl.A.No. 181 of 2022 dated 30.10.2023 alone is suspended subject to the following conditions:- i) The petitioner is directed to deposit 50% of the cheque amount before the trial 3/6

Court within a period of eightz weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, failing which the sentence suspended shall automatically dismissed and the respondent is at liberty to execute the sentence imposed by the trial Court against the petitioner in the manner known to law;

(ii) On such deposit, the petitioner is directed to be enlarged on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court, Pattukottai;

iii) The petitioner shall appear and sign before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court, Pattukottai, on the first working day of every English calender month at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

iv) In case, if the petitioner is unable to appear before the Court on the first working day of a month, he shall appear on the next working day. v) The petitioner shall furnish his residential address and mobile number to the Trial Court ie., learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court, Pattukottai. vi) The learned Magistrate is hereby directed to disburse the deposited amount to the defacto complainant, from whom the petitioner herein collected the amount, after obtaining a proper affidavit from him. In the event of petitioner succeeding in 4/6

the case, the amount will be refunded to the petitioner.

7. Subject to the above conditions, this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is allowed.

sd/- 29/01/2024 / TRUE COPY / /01/2024 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.I /II /III /IV ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

PJL TO THE III ADDITIONAL DISTRICT SESSIONS JUDGE, THANJAVUR @ PATTUKOTTAI.

THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE (FTC), PATTUKOTTAI.

DO THROUGH:

THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, THANJAVUR @ KUMBAKONAM.

COPY TO THE SECTION OFFICER, CRIMINAL SECTION, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI. (CALL FOR RECORDS) 5/6

+1 CC to M/s.V.MUTHUKAMATCHI, Advocate ( SR-1117[I] dated 30/01/2024 )

ORDER

IN in CRL RC(MD)No. 61 of 2024 Date :29/01/2024 PKP/VR/SAR /31.01.2024/ 6P/ 6C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023 6/6