Srinivasan v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Pew-Trichy City

in CRL A(MD)SR.No.5408/2026 N.MALA, J.

This petition has been filed to condone the delay of 156 days in filing the above criminal appeal against the judgement dated 26.06.2025, in CC.No.3/2024, passed by the learned Additional District and Sessions Judge / Presiding Officer, Special Court for EC and NDPS Act Cases, Pudukottai.

2.The petitioner in the affidavit filed in support of the condone delay petition averred that due to paucity of funds, he was not able to engage a counsel to file the criminal appeal in time and only with the help of his relatives, he was able to mobilise the funds and engage a counsel and in the process, there was a delay of 156 days. The petitioner further stated that the delay was neither wilful nor wanton, but due to the aforesaid bona fide reasons, and therefore prayed for condonation of the delay of 156 days.

3.Heard the learned Government Advocate [Crl.Side] accepting notice on behalf of the respondent and perused the materials placed on record.

4.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.

5.The petitioner herein, has also stated that due to financial constraint, he was not able to file the appeal in time.

6.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 156 days, giving an opportunity to the petitioner to contest the statutory appeal on merits. 9.Accordingly, the delay of 156 days in filing the criminal appeal is condoned and the petition is ordered.

05.02.2026 AP Internet: Yes

N.MALA,J AP CRL MP(MD) No.2471/2026 in CRL A(MD)SR.No.5408/2026 05.02.2026