SABU P K Vs. SHIBU JOSEPH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has been found guilty, convicted and sentenced in a prosecution under Section 138 of the N.I. Act. He has preferred an appeal before the Appellate Court/Sessions Court, Ernakulam. The appeal has been preferred through the brother of the accused/appellant, one P.K. Raju. The said person has raised a contention before the learned Sessions Judge that the appellant/ accused is mentally ill and is not able to prosecute the appeal himself. Even before the trial court, the situation was so, it is contended. The application by the next friend to prefer the appeal on behalf of the petitioner is pending before the learned Sessions Judge as M.P. 23 of 2007. No decision has been taken in the matter. That petition stands posted for enquiry.

(2.) In the mean time, an application has also been filed to suspend the sentence. That petition is not taken up for consideration now as the petition for leave for the next friend to prefer the appeal is not disposed of. It is in these circumstances that the petitioner has come to this Court through the next friend praying that there may be a direction that the execution of the sentence be suspended till the petition for leave for the next friend is considered and decided and thereafter the application for suspension is itself taken up for consideration.

(3.) I do not want to express any opinion on merits about the contention that the petitioner is mentally ill and consequently unable to prosecute the appeal. That will be decided by the learned Sessions Judge. However, I am satisfied that till that petition is decided and the application for suspension is itself taken up for consideration, a direction can be issued that the execution of the impugned sentence shall stand suspended on condition that the petitioner deposits two-third of the amount of the cheque within a period of one month from this date.