Sahira Banu v. M.Natesan

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Tuesday, the Fifth day of December Two Thousand and Twenty Three PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice P. VADAMALAI in CRL.R.C(MD).No.1336 of 2023 SAHIRA BANU ... PETITIONER/PETITIONER Vs M.NATESAN ... 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 imposed vide Judgment in C.C.No.661/2018 dt.20.09.2022 passed by the Learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court @ Magistrate Level, Karur and confirmed in Criminal Appeal No.112/2022, vide Judgment dated 07.09.2023 passed by the learned Principal District and Session Judge, Karur and enlarge the petitioner on bail pending disposal of the above Criminal Revision Petition. Prayer in CRL RC(MD). 1336/ 2023 :

To call for records pertaining to the Judgment in Criminal Appeal No.112/2022 dt.07.09.2023 passed by the Learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Karur confirming the Judgment In C.C.No.661 of 2018 dt.20.09.2022 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court @ Magistrate Level, Karur and set aside the both by allowing this Revision Petition.

Order : This petition coming up for orders on this day, upon perusing the petition filed in support thereof and upon hearing the arguments of MR.R.NARAYANAN, Advocate for the petitioner, while admitting the Criminal Revision Case, the court made the following order:- 1/5

This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is filed to suspend the sentence passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court @ Magistrate Level, Karur, in C.C.No.661 of 2018 dated 20.09.2022, which was confirmed in Criminal Appeal No.112 of 2022, dated 07.09.2023 by the learned Principal District and Session Judge, Karur, pending disposal of the Criminal Revision Case.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been convicted by the trial Court on 20.09.2022 for the alleged offence under Section 138 of Negotiable Instrument Act and sentenced him to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six months and to pay a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) as compensation within a period of one month, in default to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of one month in C.C.No.661 of 2018, on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court @ Magistrate Level, Karur.

3. The learned Principal District and Session Judge, Karur, confirmed the conviction and sentence and dismissed the Criminal Appeal No.112 of 2022, dated 07.09.2023. Challenging the same, the Criminal Revision Case has been filed before this Court along with this miscellaneous petition. 2/5

4. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that there are several infirmities in the prosecution case and further there are contradictions in material particulars between the evidence of the prosecution witnesses.

5. This Court has carefully considered the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner and also perused the materials available on record.

6. The learned counsel for the petitioner pointed out that certain infirmities and inconsistencies in this case and also 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, 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:- 3/5

(i) The petitioner shall deposit 20% of the Compensation amount to the credit of C.C.No.661 of 2018 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court @ Magistrate Level, Karur, within a period of six 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 shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court @ Magistrate Level, Karur.

(iii) 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 (iv) The petitioner shall appear before the trial Court once in a month i.e., on the first working day of every English calendar month at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

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.No.1336 of 2023. sd/- 05/12/2023 / TRUE COPY / /12/2023 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S. ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

tta TO 1.THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, FAST TRACK COURT @ MAGISTRATE LEVEL, KARUR, 2 DO THROUGH THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, KARUR.

3. THE PRINCIPAL DISTRICT AND SESSION JUDGE, KARUR +1 cc to MR.R.NARAYANAN, Advocate SR-17314

ORDER

IN in CRL.R.C(MD).No.1336 of 2023 Date :05/12/2023 RK/JGB (20/12/2023) 5P / 5C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023 5/5