Chandru @ Chandresh v. The State Rep.By Inspector of Police

ORDER This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the Registry of Principal District Sessions Judge, Krishnagiri to number the appeal in Crl.A.Sr.No.712/2026 filed on 20.01.2026 against impugned order made in SC.No.30/2023 on the file of the learned Assistant Sessions Judge, Denkanikottai dated 28.04.2025.

¶2The petitioner is the third accused in SC.No.30 of 2023. He was convicted by the Assistant Sessions Judge, Denkanikottai, by judgment dated

28.04.2025 and sentenced to undergo 7 years Rigorous Imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- for the offence under Section 451 IPC and 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- for the offence under Section 395 read with 397 IPC. Aggrieved against the judgment, the petitioner preferred an appeal before this Court in Crl.A.SR.No.90628 of 2025 on

04.11.2025, and the same was returned on 10.11.2025 with the following endorsement: "In view of judgment made in Crl.OP.No.27089 & 27094 of 2004, dated 30.06.2025, Appropriate petition to be filed before appropriate Forum. (Sc.30/23 Assistant Sessions Judge, Denkanikottai)" Page2 of 6 Thereafter, the petitioner filed a Criminal Appeal before the Principal District Sessions Judge, Krishnagiri in Crl.A.Sr.No.712/2026 and the same was returned on 02.02.2026 with the following endorsement: "Returned.

¶1Appeal not maintainable before this Court due to sentence of 10 years imprisonment. This petition to be filed in proper Court. Hence Returned." In view of the above, the present Criminal Original Petition has been filed.

¶3The contention of the petitioner is that since the petitioner has been convicted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment for the offences under Sections 395 and 397 IPC by the Sub Judge, the appeal lies only before the High Court in view of Section 374 (2) of Criminal Procedure.

¶4Section 374 (2) of Criminal Procedure reads as follows: "Any person convicted on a trial held by a Sessions Judge or an Additional Sessions Judge or on a trial held by any other court in which a sentence of imprisonment for more than seven years [has been passed against him or against any other person convicted at the same trial], may appeal to the High Court." Page3 of 6

¶5In view of the provision, the appeal ought to have been entertained by the High Court and not returned. Further, the order referred in the return endorsement is Crl.O.P.No.27089 and 27094 of 2004 dated 30.06.2025, which pertains to a private complaint appeal under acquittal, particularly, for the offence under Section 138 of NI Act. Hence, the Registry not entertaining the present appeal is not proper.

¶6In view of the above, this Court directs the petitioner to resubmit the returned appeal papers along with annexed documents. The Registry is directed to number the appeal without any delay and without raising any objections and post for admission before this Court along with the suspension of sentence petition.

¶7Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of. 13-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order PVS Page4 of 6 To

¶1The Principal District Sessions Judge, Krishnagiri

¶2The Assistant Sessions Judge, Denkanikottai

¶3The Inspector of Police Thally Police Station, Thally, Krishnagiri, Crime Nno.170/2016

¶4The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. Page5 of 6 CRLoOPoNo.o5039oofo2026 M.NIRMALoKUMAR,oJ. PVS CRLoOPoNo.o5039oofo2026 13-03-2026 Page6oofo6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 13-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR Chandru @ Chandresh ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State rep.by Inspector of Police Thally Police Station, Thally, Krishnagiri, Crime No.170/2016 ..Respondent(s) To direct the registry of Principal District Sessions Judge, Krishnagiri to number the appeal in Crl.A.Sr.No.712/2026 filed on 20.01.2026 against impugned order made in SC.No.30/2023 on the file of the learned Assistant Sessions Judge, Denkanikottai dated 28.04.2025 and grant such other further relief as this Honble Court For Petitioner(s): Mr.M.RAVINDHAR FOR M/s.R.DHINESH KUMAR ASSOCIATES For Respondent(s): Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Additional Public Prosecutor Page1 of 6