Full Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 30.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Raj @ Adaikala Samy ...Appellant Vs. State rep. by, The Inspector of Police, Jayankondam, Ariyalur District, Crime No.6 of 2016 ...Respondent Criminal Appeal filed under Section 374(2) of Cr.P.C. seeking to set aside the conviction passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Fast Track Mahila Court, Ariyalur in Special S.C.No.16 of 2016 dated 22.12.2016. For Appellant : No Appearance For Respondent : Ms.J.R.Archana, GA (Crl. Side)
JUDGMENT
This criminal appeal has been filed by the appellant/accused seeking quashment of the judgment of conviction and sentence dated 22.12.2016 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Fast Track Mahila Court, Ariyalur in Special S.C.No.16 of 2016.
2. A perusal of the records reveals that when the matter was listed
on 18.03.2026, there was no representation on behalf of the appellant and therefore, this Court directed the Superintendent of Central Prison, Trichy to produce the appellant/accused before this Court through video conferencing mode.
3. Accordingly, when the matter was taken up for hearing on 26.03.2026, the appellant/accused was produced via video conferencing. Further, it was brought to the notice of this Court that another appeal in
Crl.A.No.324 of 2024 has been filed challenging the very same judgment
dated 22.12.2016 made in Special S.C.No.16 of 2016. Upon enquiry by this Court, the appellant/accused submitted that he had previously engaged Mr.E.Somasundaram, learned counsel, to appear on his behalf. However, as there was no progress and no subsequent communication, he engaged Mr.L.P.Mounish, learned counsel, to file a fresh appeal against the impugned judgment passed against him, resulting in filing of Crl.A.No.324 of 2024. The appellant/accused further submitted that he is not pressing the present appeal filed by Mr.E.Somasundaram, learned counsel, and therefore, the same may be closed, as he intends to proceed with the appeal filed by Mr.L.P.Mounish, learned counsel, in Crl.A.No.324 of 2024.
4. Hence, this Court directed listing of both the appeals today under the caption ‘for orders’. Even today, when the matters were taken up for hearing, both counsels were absent.
5. In view of the above position, vide separate order passed today, Crl.A.No.324 of 2024 is de-linked.
6. As alluded to above that the appellant does not want to pursue this criminal appeal, this criminal appeal stands closed. skt To:
1. The Sessions Judge, Fast Track Mahila Court, Ariyalur.
2. The Inspector of Police, Jayankondam, Ariyalur District.
3. The Central Prison, Trichy.
4. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.
A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.
skt