Bail suspension petition dismissed despite mental illness claim; prior suspensions noted, medical treatment directed.

ORDER

The petitioner is sole accused in SplSC.No.27 of 2020 on the file of the Sessions Judge, Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Thoothukudi. By judgment dated 04.11.2022, he was found guilty, convicted and sentenced to undergo 20 years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs.25,000/- for the offence under Sections 5(m), 5(n) r/w 6 of the POCSO Act. As against the conviction and sentence imposed by the trial Court, the petitioner has filed an appeal in CrlA(MD)No.164 of 2023. The appeal has been admitted by this Court on 30.03.2026. Along with the appeal, this petition has been filed to suspend the sentence imposed on him by the trial court.

2.The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is suffering with mental illness and therefore, prayed to grant of interim suspension for taking treatment.

3.This Court has perused the materials placed on record and found that the sentence imposed on the petitioner has been suspended twice. This court is not inclined to entertain this petition on the ground raised by the petitioner. In case the petitioner is suffering with mental illness, the prison authorities shall refer the petitioner to the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Chennai for necessary treatment.

4.Accordingly this petition is dismissed. Since this petition is dismissed, post the main appeal for final hearing during the 1^st week of June 2026 under the caption ' accused in jail case'.