High Court · 2025

CRL MP No. 17267 of 2025IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDATED: 17-11-2025CORAMTHE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVICRL MP No. 17267 of 2025INCRL A NO. 1455 OF 2025Keerthi John PaulS/o. Salomon Alias Sebilon, No 45, Kamarajar Street, Kalainagar Nagar, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai 600 016Petitioner(s)VsState Rep By, All Women Police Station,St Thomas Mount, Chennai 600 016. Crime No 1/2021.Respondent(s)PRAYERTo suspend the sentence made in spl. sessions case no. 5/2022 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Special Court for Exclusive Trial of cases under POCSO Act, Chengalpattu and enlarge him on bail pending disposal of Criminal Appeal.1/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL MP No. 17267 of 2025For Petitioner(s):Mr. T.ArulFor Respondent(s):Mr.V.Meganathan,Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side)ORDERThis Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed by the petitioner, seeking suspension of sentence imposed by the learned Sessions Judge, Special Court for Exclusive Trial of cases under POCSO Act, Chengalpattu, in Spl.S.C.No.5 of 2025 dated 18.07.2025 and enlarge the petitioner on bail pending disposal of the above appeal.2.The petitioner herein is the accused in Spl.S.C.No.5 of 2025 on the file of the learned Sessions Judge, Special Court for Exclusive Trial of cases under POCSO Act, Chengalpattu. He was found guilty of the offences under Section 366 of I.P.C. and Sec. 6 (1) of POCSO Act and he has been convicted and sentenced as under: S.No.ConvictionSentence1 Section 366 of I.P.C. to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten years and to pay fine of Rs.1,000/-, in default to undergo simple imprisonment for one year.2Section 6(1) of POCSO Actto undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 20 years and to pay fine of Rs.1,000/-, in default to undergo simple imprisonment for one year.2/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL MP No. 17267 of 2025 Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner had filed this appeal along with the present miscellaneous petition.3.The learned counsel for the petitioner/accused would submit that he has been falsely implicated in this case as if he had committed sexual abusement to the victim girl, but in fact he has not committed any offence as alleged against him. He would submit that he is in custody from the date of judgment i.e. on 18.07.2025 for more than three months. He would also submit that there are arguable points available in the Criminal Appeal and the petitioners/accused have got a fair chance of succeeding in the Criminal Appeal and hence, the substantive sentence imposed against the petitioner/accused may be suspended. He would submit that the petitioner is ready to abide the condition imposed by this Court.4.Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent/State raised serious objection for allowing this petition and contended that the petitioner is a married man and at the time of occurrence, the victim girl is aged about 10 years and the petitioner is aged about 33 years. Further, he would contend that he has no bad antecedents and the evidences recorded from the prosecution witnesses would prove the case of the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt. According to him, interference of this Court is not necessary in the findings arrived at by the trial Court.3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL MP No. 17267 of 20255.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and also perused the materials placed on record.6.On seeing the facts, it reveals that both the victim and the petitioner were belong to same locality and he is a married man and having family, due to his incarceration, his family is struggling for their livelihood and he is in custody from the date of judgment i.e. on 18.07.2025 for more than three months and he has no bad antecedents, he is ready to abide condition imposed by this court and now she is under the care and custody of parents. Considering that and considering the facts and circumstances of the case coupled with the quantum of punishment imposed upon the petitioner, also by considering the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police, further this criminal appeal is not likely to be taken for final hearing in the near future, this Court is of the view that the substantive sentence of imprisonment alone can be suspended on certain conditions. 7.Accordingly, till the disposal of the Criminal Appeal, the substantive sentence of imprisonment imposed by the learned trial Judge is alone suspended and bail are granted on the following conditions:4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL MP No. 17267 of 2025(a) the petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.30,000/- (Rupees Thirty Thousand only) for the mental agony caused to her to the credit of Spl.S.C.No.5 of 2022 on the file of learned Special Court for Exclusive Trial of cases under POCSO Act, Chengalpattu, within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. Failing which, the order passed by this Court shall stand automatically cancelled. On such deposit, the defacto complainant is permitted to withdraw the amount on filing undertaking affidavit and on production of proper identification and acknowledgement.(b) The petitioner/accused is ordered to be released on bail, on their executing a separate bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each, in which one surety must be a blood surety, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Special Court for Exclusive Trial of cases under POCSO Act, Chengalpattu.(c) The petitioner/accused and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impressions in the surety bonds and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhaar Cards or Bank Pass Books to ensure their identities.5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL MP No. 17267 of 2025(d) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police on every Saturday at 10.30 a.m. for the period of three months and he shall also appear before the Trial Court on the first working day of every English Calendar month at 10.30 a.m., until the disposal of the Criminal Appeal and he shall not have any communication with the victim girl and her family and if he is not able to appear before the trial Court on any day, he 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 his absence, as directed by the trial Court.8.With the above directions, this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is ordered. 17-11-2025Index:Yes/NoSpeaking/Non-speaking orderInternet:YesNeutral Citation:Yes/NorppTo1. Sessions Judge, Special Court for Exclusive Trial of cases under POCSO Act, Chengalpattu.6/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL MP No. 17267 of 20252.All Women Police Station,St Thomas Mount, Chennai 600 016. 3. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Puzhal.4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.7/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL MP No. 17267 of 2025T.V.THAMILSELVI J.rppCRL MP No. 17267 of 2025IN CRL A NO. 1455 OF 202517-11-20258/8