Meera Maideen v. The State Of Tamilnadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 04/08/2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE R.N.MANJULA in Crl.A(MD) No.824 of 2025

1. Meera Maideen

2. Tamim Ansari ... Petitioners Vs The State of Tamilnadu, Rep. by the Inspector of Police, Town Police Station, Palani, Dindigul District.

Crime No. 486/2014.

... Respondent PRAYER :- This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is filed to suspend the sentence passed in Judgment dt. 27.06.2025 by the Learned Additional District Judge (Fast Track Court) Palani in S.C.No. 57/2020 and enlarge the petitioner on bail pending disposal of the above Criminal Appeal.

For Petitioners : Mr.N.Mohan, For Respondent : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/5

ORDER

This petition has been filed by the petitioners to suspend the sentence imposed by the learned I Additional District Judge, Palani, dated 27.06.2025, made in S.C.No.57 of 2020.

2.The petitioners are the accused 1 and 2, who have been charged for the offence under Sections u/s 341, 294(b), 506(ii) and u/s 3(1) TNPPDL and who have been found guilty for the offence under Section 3(1) of TNPPDL Act convicted and sentenced in the following manner:

Rank of the Charges Conviction Punishment petitioners A1 to A2 u/s 341, 294 u/s 3(1) 1 year SI and (b), 506(ii) TNPPDL fine Rs. 5000/- and u/s 3(1) in default 1 TNPPDL month SI [each] 3.As per the case of prosecution, on 17.08.2014 at about 9:10 PM, while the complainant was driving a private bus bearing registration number TN 57 AX 6166 along the Palani-Tharapuram road, the accused intercepted the bus near a Hotel and abused the passengers, damaged the left side window and the front 2/5

viewing glass of the bus, and threatened the driver with a knife, by saying that they would stab him, if he dared to come near to them. 4.Though the accused have been charged for the offence under Sections u/s 341, 294(b), 506(ii) and u/s 3(1) TNPPDL, they have been found guilty for the offence under Section 3(1) of TNPPDL Act. Aggrieved over that the petitioners/A1,A2 have preferred this appeal. 5.The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the contradictions between the FIR and the final report and the inconsistencies in the evidence of prosecution have not been properly appreciated by the trial Court. The damage caused to the vehicle also not proved by the prosecution.

He further submitted that the petitioners cannot be punished under Section 3 (1) of TNPPDL Act, as there is no demonstration, communal clash at the time of occurrence. 6.It is seen that the accused have engaged in a quarrel with the driver of the lorry and during that course, they had damaged the vehicle. As the above quarrel does not fall within the public demonstration, procession, political rallies or any other Dharna, the appeal has been admitted as it deserves an elaborate hearing.

7.Considering the fact that there are arguable points involved in this criminal appeal and there is no possibility to take up the appeal immediately, I feel it is appropriate to suspend the sentence of imprisonment alone on conditions. 8.Accordingly, the substantive part of the sentence alone is suspended till the disposal of the appeal on the following conditions: i. that the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) each with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Additional District Judge, Palani;

ii. that the petitioners shall appear before the trial Court on all working days at 10.30a.m., till the disposal of the appeal.

9. Accordingly, this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is allowed. sd/- 04/08/2025 / TRUE COPY / /2025 Sub-Assistant Registrar ( C.S. I / II / III / IV ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

PNM 4/5

TO 1 THE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGE, PALANI.

2 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, TOWN POLICE STATION, PALANI, DINDIGUL DISTRICT.

3 THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI.

ORDER

IN CRL MP(MD) No.10175 of 2025 IN CRL A(MD) No.824 of 2025 Date :04/08/2025 AS/07.08.2025/5P/4C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023. 5/5