CRL MP(MD). No.17450 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 20.08.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE P.MURUGAN CRL MP(MD). No.17450 of 2026 in Crl.A.(MD)No.1008 of 2026 S. Palanivel ... Petitioner Vs. The State of Tamilnadu, Rep, By the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance and Anti Corruption Wing, Madurai, Crime No.01/1997. ... Respondent PRAYER :- This Petition is filed to enlarge the petitioner on bail by suspending the sentence imposed upon him in Spl.C.No.35 of 2011 on the file of the learned Special Court for Trial of Vigilance and Anti Corruption Act, Madurai, vide Judgment, dated 31.07.2026 pending disposal of the main criminal appeal. For Petitioner : Mr.C.Ramesh For Respondent : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/7 CRL MP(MD). No.17450 of 2026 O R D E R Heard both sides. 2. The petitioner faced trial in Spl.C.No.35 of 2011, dated 31.07.2026, on the file of the learned Special Judge, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Madurai, for the offences under Sections 120(B), 420 I.P.C., and Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. 3. The petitioner is arrayed as A13. Totally there are 16 accused. Pending the trial, 11 accused have died. After concluding the trial, by a judgment dated 31.07.2026 found the accused guilty of the above offences and imposed imprisonment for a period of one year on each offence, with a fine of Rs.1,000/- for each. All sentences are ordered to run concurrently. The total fine amount is Rs.3,000/-. 2/7 CRL MP(MD). No.17450 of 2026 4. Against the said judgment of conviction and sentence, the petitioner filed Crl.A.(MD) No.1008 of 2026. Along with the appeal, he has filed this petition for suspension of the sentence. 5. In the appeal grounds, the petitioner raised various points to be canvassed at the time of final argument. This Court heard the learned counsel for the petitioner. 6. In support of the grounds of the appeal, the learned counsel submitted that during the trial, the petitioner was on bail and attended court proceedings regularly. The trial court itself suspended the sentence by its order passed in Crl.M.P. No.31 of 2026, dated 31.07.2026, suspending the sentence till 29.08.2026, and allowed the petitioner to work out the appeal remedy before the appellate forum. The sentence against the co-accused has also suspended by this Court in Crl.MP(MD) No.17117 of 2026 on 18.08.2026. Having paid the fine and with the sentence passed by the trial court 3/7 CRL MP(MD). No.17450 of 2026 suspended until 29.08.2026, this Court is inclined to allow the petition, taking note of the arguable points available in the appeal. 7. Accordingly, this Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is allowed. The sentence imposed by the learned Special Judge, Vigilance and Anti Corruption, Madurai, in Spl.C.No.35 of 2011 dated 31.07.2026 alone is suspended, subject to the following stringent conditions:- i) The petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, Vigilance and Anti Corruption, Madurai; ii) 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; 4/7 CRL MP(MD). No.17450 of 2026 iii) The petitioner shall appear before the trial Court on the first working day of every month, till the disposal of the appeal; iv) The petitioner shall furnish his residential address and mobile number to the Trial Court; v) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Sessions Judge/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the appellant in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the appellant released on bail by the learned Sessions Judge/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; and vi) If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A of IPC / 269 BNS. 20.08.2026 PNM 5/7 CRL MP(MD). No.17450 of 2026 TO 1. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance and Anti Corruption Wing, Madurai. 2.The Special Judge, Vigilance and Anti Corruption, Madurai. 3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 6/7 CRL MP(MD). No.17450 of 2026 DR. P. MURUGAN,J. PNM CRL MP(MD) No.17450 of 2026 in Crl.A.(MD)No.1008 of 2026 20.08.2026 7/7