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Arumugam v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Thiruvidaimarudhur

Madras HC25 Feb 2026CRL MP(MD)/4280/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Suspension of sentence pending criminal revision; bail with bond of Rs.10,000/- and two sureties; exemption from surrender; conviction under Sections 279 and 304-A IPC (rash/negligent driving causing death); appeal dismissed by Principal Sessions Judge, Thanjavur; delay in final hearing of revision; Atul Alias Ashutosh vs State of Madhya Pradesh (2024) 3 SCC 663; Section 317 Cr.P.C. / 355 B.N.S.S.; Madurai Bench of Madras High Court; Mohammed Shaffiq, J.; Crl.MP(MD)Nos.4280 and 4283 of 2026 in Crl.RC(MD)No.342 of 2026.

What did the court decide?

Suspension of sentence, enlargement on bail on a bond of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties each for a like sum, and exemption from surrender before the trial Court, on stated conditions, till the disposal of Crl.RC(MD)No.342 of 2026. ¶44

Arumugam Vs State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector… — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether the sentence imposed on the petitioner (conviction confirmed by the Principal Sessions Judge, Thanjavur) should be suspended, the petitioner enlarged on bail, and the petitioner exempted from surrender, pending disposal of Crl.RC(MD)No.342 of 2026.

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Court's answer

Considering that there are arguable points raised in the revision, the facts and circumstances of the case, and that it is likely to take a while before the revision is finally heard, the Court granted suspension of sentence, bail and exemption from surrender before the trial court, on stated conditions, till the disposal of the Criminal Revision.

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Ratio / Principle

Bail was granted subject to conditions: execution of a bond for Rs.10,000/- with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the trial Court; affixation of photographs and left thumb impressions with identity verification through Aadhaar card or bank passbook; appearance and signing before the District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvidaimaruthur on the first working day of every English calendar month at 10.30 a.m.; and, if unable to appear, filing an application under Section 317 Cr.P.C. (corresponding to 355 B.N.S.S.) and appearing on another day in lieu.

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Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, 25-02-2026 (Mohammed Shaffiq, J.), Crl.MP(MD)Nos.4280 and 4283 of 2026 in Crl.RC(MD)No.342 of 2026 (Arumugam v. State of Tamil Nadu): The petitioner, convicted under Sections 279 and 304-A IPC by the District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvidaimaruthur in C.C.No.363 of 2019 (judgment dated 28.06.2024: fine of Rs.1000/- for S.279 IPC; one year simple imprisonment and fine of Rs.5000 for S.304-A IPC), had his conviction and sentence confirmed by the Principal Sessions Judge, Thanjavur in Crl.A.No.180 of 2024 by order dated 19.11.2025. Pending his criminal revision, and finding arguable points with the final hearing likely to take a while, the Court granted suspension of sentence, bail and exemption from surrender till disposal of the revision, conditional on a Rs.10,000/- bond with two sureties each for a like sum, photographs/thumb impressions with Aadhaar or bank passbook identity verification, monthly signing before the trial Court at 10.30 a.m., and recourse to Section 317 Cr.P.C. (corresponding to 355 B.N.S.S.) for permitted absences.

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CRL MP(MD) Nos.4280 and 4283 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 25-02-2026

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ

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CRL MP(MD) NOs. 4280 and 4283 of 2026

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CRL RC(MD) No.342 of 2026

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Arumugam

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Petitioner(s) in both petitions

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The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Inspector of Police, Thiruvidaimaruthru Police Station, Thanjavur District. (In Crime No.14 of 2015)

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Respondent(s) in both petitions

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For Petitioner(s):

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Mr.C.Susikumar

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For Respondent(s):

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Vaikkam Karunanithi Government Advocate

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Prayer for Crl.M.P(MD)No.4280 of 2026:

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To suspend the sentence of imprisonment imposed by learned Principal Sessions Judge, Thanjavur in Crl.A.No.180 of 2024 by the judgment dated 19.11.2025 by confirming the conviction and the sentence imposed by the learned District Munsifcum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvidaimaruthur in C.C.No.363 of 2019 by the judgment dated 28.06.2024 and enlarged the petitioner on bail pending disposal of this criminal appeal.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Prayer for Crl.M.P(MD)No.4283 of 2026:

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To exempt the petitioner from surrender in pursuant to the judgment dated 19.11.2025 by the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Thanjavur in Crl.A.No.180 of 2024 by confirming the conviction and the sentence of imprisonment imposed by the learned District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvidaimaruthuru in C.C.No.363 of 2019 by the judgment dated 28.06.2024

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COMMON ORDER

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Heard Mr.C.Susikumar, learned Counsel for petitioner and Mr.Vaikkam Karunanithi, learned Government Advocate for respondent.

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Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions have been filed praying to suspend the sentence imposed upon petitioner by District Munsif- cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvidaimaruthur in C.C.No.363 of 2019, which was confirmed by Principal Sessions Judge, Thanjavur in Crl.A.No.180 of 2024 dated 19.11.2025 and to exempt petitioner from surrendering before the Court below.

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Learned counsel for petitioner would submit that petitioner was convicted

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by District Munsif- cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvidaimaruthur for the offences punishable under Sections 279 and 304-A of IPC in C.C.No.363 of 2019 dated 28.06.2024 and sentenced as follows:-

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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(i)

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(i) to pay fine of Rs.1000/-, in default to undergo one month simple imprisonment for offence under Section 279 IPC;

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(ii) to undergo one year simple imprisonment and to pay fine of Rs.5000, in default to undergo three months simple imprisonment for offence under Section 304-A of IPC.

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Aggrieved, petitioner filed Criminal Appeal No.180 of 2024 before Principal Sessions Judge, Thanjavur and lower Appellate Court vide order dated 19.11.2025, dismissed the appeal confirming the judgment passed by Trial Court. Challenging the above conviction and sentence, petitioner has filed Criminal Revision Petition in Crl.RC(MD)No.342 of 2026 before this Court along with the instant miscellaneous petitions seeking suspension of sentence, bail and exemption from surrender.

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Learned counsel for petitioner further submits that petitioner has a good case, inter alia , stating that there are discrepancies and inconsistencies in the evidence; and that the courts below failed to consider the road conditions at the place of occurrence, which is considered would show that rash and negligent driving is improbable.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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Learned counsel for petitioner would further submit that petitioner has

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raised other substantial grounds in above revision; and that he also paid fine amount as per the order of trial Court. Hence, he prayed for granting suspension of sentence, bail and exemption from surrender.

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Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for respondent has opposed the submissions made by learned counsel for petitioner and submits that judgments passed by both the Courts are as per law after considering the entire evidence, thus the relief sought by the petitioner at this stage be refused by this Court.

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Considering the fact that there are arguable points raised in revision and taking into consideration, facts and circumstances of the case and that it is likely to take a while before the revision is finally heard¹ , this Court is inclined to grant suspension of sentence, bail and exempt the petitioner from surrendering before trial court, on the following conditions, till the disposal of the above Criminal Revision:

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i) Petitioner is directed to be enlarged on bail on his executing 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 District Munsif- cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvidaimaruthur;

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1 Atul Alias Ashutosh vs State of Madhya Pradesh, (2024) 3 SCC 663

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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ii) Petitioner and sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb

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Impression in the bond and the above said Court may obtain a copy of their Aadhaar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;

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iii) Petitioner shall appear and sign before District Munsif- cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvidaimaruthur, on the first working day of every English calendar month at 10.30 a.m., until further orders;

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iv) In case, petitioner is not able to appear before the said Court on any day, he shall make arrangements to file an application under Section 317 Cr.P.C. (corresponding to 355 B.N.S.S) and shall appear before the said Court on any other day in lieu of the date of his absence, as directed by the said Court.

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