P.Senthilkumar v. V.Pasupathy

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI CRL MP(MD) No.7844 of 2026 in CRL RC(MD) No.648 of 2026 P.Senthilkumar ... Petitioner/Petitioner Vs.

V.Pasupathy ... Respondent/Respondent Prayer : This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is filed under Section 438 of BNSS to suspend the sentence of imprisonment and sentence imposed in Crl.A.No.196 of 2024 on the file of the learned District and Sessions Judge, Karur, dated 05.12.2025 by confirming the conviction made in S.T.C.No.156 of 2020 on the file of the Fast Track Court Judicial Magistrate (At Magistrate Level), Karur, dated 21.09.2024 pending disposal of the criminal revision petition.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Manojkumar

ORDER

This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed to suspend the sentence of imprisonment and sentence imposed in Crl.A.No.196 of 2024 on the file of the learned District and Sessions Judge, Karur, dated 05.12.2025 by 1/6

confirming the conviction made in S.T.C.No.156 of 2020 on the file of the Fast Track Court Judicial Magistrate (At Magistrate Level), Karur, dated 21.09.2024 pending disposal of the criminal revision petition.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been convicted by the trial Court on 21.09.2024 for the offence under Section 138 r/w 142 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, and the trial Court sentenced him to undergo simple imprisonment for a six months and to pay a cheque amount of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees Three Lakhs only) as compensation to the respondent within a period of one month, in default, to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of one month, in S.T.C.No.156 of 2020 on the file of the learned Fast Track Court Judicial Magistrate (At Magistrate Level), Karur.

3. The learned District and Sessions Judge, Karur, confirmed the conviction and sentence, and dismissed the C.A.No.196 of 2024, dated 05.12.2026. Challenging the same, the present Criminal Revision Case has been filed before this Court along with this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition seeking suspension of sentence.

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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.

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 3/6

sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Fast Track Court Judicial Magistrate (At Magistrate Level), Karur;

(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 Fast Track Court Judicial Magistrate (At Magistrate Level), Karur, 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.648 of 2026.

8. Notice.

10.04.2026 gbg To 1.The District and Sessions Judge, Karur.

2.The Fast Track Court Judicial Magistrate (At Magistrate Level), Karur.

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3.Do through the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Karur District.

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J., gbg Crl. MP(MD)No.7844 of 2026 in CRL RC(MD)No.648 of 2026 10.04.2026 6/6