JUDGMENT

The appellant challenges the order dated 21.04.2025 in M.C.No.36 of 2024 on the files of the Additional Sessions Court-II, Manjeri whereby she was imposed with a penalty of Rs.1,00,000/- for her failure to produce the 3^rd accused in S.C.No.455 of 2020 to whom she had stood as one of the sureties.

2. S.C.No.455 of 2020 on the files of the Additional Sessions Court-II, Manjeri is a proceeding for the offence of murder. The appellant stood as the first surety for the 3^rd accused in the said crime and executed a bond for Rs.1,00,000/-. In violation of the conditions of bond, the appellant was unable to produce the surety after he absconded. Bailable as well as non-bailable warrants were issued against the accused and thereafter proceedings were initiated against the sureties. Though the appellant sought time to produce the accused, she was unable to do so while the second surety expired in the meantime. After noticing that the surety was unable to produce the accused, penalty was imposed for the entire bond amount.

3. I have heard the learned counsel for the appellant as well as the learned Public Prosecutor.

4. The impugned order itself reveals that the accused has subsequently