Full Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 31.07.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN in Crl.A.Nos.501 & 500 of 2024 1.K.Durai 2.V.Mari ... Petitioners/A1 & A2 in both Crl.M.Ps Vs. State represented by The Inspector of Police, Ponnur Police Station, Thiruvannamalai (Crime No.53 of 2012) ... Respondent in both Crl.M.Ps PRAYER in Crl.M.P.No.7417 of 2024: Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 389(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, seeking to suspend the sentence passed against the appellant in the above case in Court, Arani, pending disposal of the above Criminal Appeal and release him on bail. PRAYER in Crl.M.P.No.7486 of 2024: Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 389(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, seeking to suspend the sentence passed against the appellant in the above case in Court, Arani, pending disposal of the above Criminal Appeal and release him on bail. In both Crl.M.Ps For Petitioners : Mr.G.Ilamurugu For Respondent : Mr.A.Damodaran, Additional Public Prosecutor assisted by Ms.M.Arifa Thasneen
COMMON ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by M.S.RAMESH. J,) These Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions have been filed seeking to suspend the sentence passed against the appellants in the above case in Court, Arani, pending disposal of the above Criminal Appeals and release them on bail.
2. The petitioners are arrayed as A1 and A2 in S.C.No.36 of 2021, respectively. The learned Additional District Session Judge, Arani vide
judgment dated 28.11.2023 has convicted and sentenced them as follows:-
Accused Offence Sentence A1 Section 302 IPC Life imprisonment and a fine of Rs.2,000/-,i/d. 2 years of S.I A2 Section 302 r/w Section Life imprisonment and a fine of 34 IPC Rs.2,000/-,i/d. 2 years of S.I The sentences are ordered to run concurrently.
3. While the judgment of the trial Court is under challenge in the main Appeals, the petitioners seek for suspension of sentence in the present Miscellaneous Petitions.
4. We fine some force in the contention of the learned counsel for
the petitioner that the incident of assault had occurred due to sudden and grave provocation. On a perusal of the evidence of P.W.2, who is the son of the deceased and an eye witness to the occurrence, reveals that on the fatal day, the deceased and both the accused were conversing with each other in a friendly manner. At that time, a wordy quarrel ensued, which led to the assault. On a prima facie view, the judgement of the trial Court may warrant interference by way of modification of the offences, and there appears to be a possibility of imposition of a lesser sentence.
5. Taking into consideration that the petitioners herein have been
under incarceration for almost two years, and since the appeals may not be taken up in the near future, we are inclined to suspend the sentences of the petitioners/A1 and A2.
6. Accordingly, this Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions stand
allowed, and the sentences imposed on the petitioners herein, are suspended till the disposal of the appeals and they are ordered to be enlarged on bail, on the following conditions:-
(i) The petitioners shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/-, with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Additional District Sessions Judge, Arani;
(ii) The petitioners and the sureties shall affix
their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bonds and the Trial Court may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book and mobile numbers to ensure their identity; and
(iii) The petitioners shall appear before the Trial
Court on the first working day of every month at 10.30 A.M., until the disposal of the appeals and if they are not able to appear before the Trial Court on any day, they shall make arrangements to file an application under Section 317 Cr.P.C. and shall appear before the Trial Court on any other day, in lieu of the date of their absence, as directed by the Trial Court.
(M.S.R, J.) (V.L.N, J.) 31.07.2025 Anu Note:Issue order copy on 01.08.2025
M.S.RAMESH, J.
and
V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.
Anu To 1.The Additional District Sessions Judge, Arani 3.The Inspector of Police, Ponnur Police Station, Thiruvannamalai 4.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Vellore 5.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. in Crl.A.Nos.501 & 500 of 2024 31.07.2025