M.Karthikeyan v. B.Senthil

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI CRL MP(MD) No.5906 of 2026 in CRL RC(MD) No.483 of 2026 M.Karthikeyan ... Petitioner Vs.

B.Senthil ... Respondent PRAYER: This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is filed under Section 438(1) of BNSS to suspend the sentence imposed against the petitioner in Crl.A.No.18 of 2023 dated 22.01.2026 on the file of the V Additional District and Sessions Judge, Madurai, confirming the order dated 20.02.2023 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Vadipati, in STC No.57 of 2020 till the disposal of the main criminal revision petition pending on the file of this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Muthumalai For Respondent : Mr.S.Thirupathy 1/6

ORDER

This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed to suspend the sentence passed against the petitioner in Crl.A.No.18 of 2023 dated 22.01.2026 on the file of the V Additional District and Sessions Judge, Madurai, confirming the order dated 20.02.2023 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Vadipati, in STC No.57 of 2020 till the disposal of the above criminal revision.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been convicted by the trial Court on 20.02.2023 for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, and the trial Court sentenced him to undergo simple imprisonment for six months and to pay the compensation amount of Rs.3,50,000/- (Rupees Three Lakhs and Fifty Thousand only), in STC No.57 of 2020 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Vadipati.

3. The learned V Additional District and Sessions Judge, Madurai, confirmed the conviction and sentence, and dismissed Crl.A.No.18 of 2023 2/6

dated 22.01.2026. Challenging the same, the present Criminal Revision Case has been filed before this Court along with this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition seeking suspension of sentence.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that there are several infirmities in the prosecution case, and also there are contradictions in material particulars between the evidence of the prosecution witnesses.

5. This Court has carefully considered the rival contentions put forward by either side and also perused the materials available on record.

6. The learned counsel for the petitioner pointed out that there are certain infirmities and inconsistencies in this case, and also there are certain contradictions in material particulars. The fact remains that there are arguable points involved in this criminal revision and further, the criminal revision is not likely to be taken up for final hearing in the near future and as such, and also considering the bonafide expressed by the petitioner, this Court is of the considered view that the petitioner herein is entitled to the relief of grant of suspension of sentence.

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7. Accordingly, this petition is allowed and the substantive sentence of imprisonment alone is suspended pending disposal of the revision with the following directions :

(i) The petitioner shall execute 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 learned Judicial Magistrate, Vadipati;

(ii) 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 to ensure their identity; and (iii) The petitioner shall appear before the learned trial Court, on all working days at 10.30 a.m., until further orders. (iv) The learned trial Court shall re-deposit the said sum in a Nationalised Bank, so that, the amount accrues interest and the same can be disbursed depending upon the outcome of the Criminal Revision Case in Crl.R.C.(MD)No. 483 of 2026.

8. Mr.S.Thirupathy learned counsel takes notice for the respondent.

9. List the matter after three weeks.

20.04.2026 sm (2/3) 4/6

To:- 1.The V Additional District and Sessions Judge, Madurai. 2.The Judicial Magistrate, Vadipati, 3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

sm Crl. MP(MD)No.5906 of 2026 in CRL RC(MD)No.483 of 2026 (2/3) 20.04.2026 6/6