An appellate court may suspend a sentence under Section 389 CrPC if the grounds for appeal show a prima facie possibility of acquittal or if parity with co-accused exists, prioritizing personal liberty when appeals are likely to be delayed.

Order

1. The instant application for suspension of sentence has been moved on behalf of the applicant in the matter of judgment dated 20.12.2025 passed by the learned Addl. Session Judge No.2, District Hanumangarh in Sessions Case No.111/2018 whereby he was convicted and sentenced to suffer maximum imprisonment of three years (along with a fine of Rs.10,000/- and in default of payment further to undergo 1 year SI) under Sections 324/149 of IPC and lesser punishment for the other offences under Sections 341, 148 & 323/149 of IPC.

2. It is contended by the learned counsel for the appellant that the learned trial Judge has not appreciated the correct, legal and factual aspects of the matter and thus, reached at an erroneous conclusion of guilt, therefore, the same is required to be appreciated again by this court being the first appellate Court. The co-accused persons (Sanjay, Chandrashekhar, Ravindra, Vinod Kumar, Brij Lal) have already been granted bail by this Court on 22.01.2026 in S.B. Criminal Misc. Suspension of Sentence Application No.108/2026. The appellant is on bail and did not misuse the liberty so granted to him; hearing of the appeal is likely to take long time, therefore, the application for suspension of sentence may be granted.

3. Per contra, learned public prosecutor has vehemently opposed the prayer made by learned counsel for the accused-applicant for releasing the appellant on application for suspension of sentence.

4. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record.

5. There exists a fine yet significant distinction between the grant of bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the suspension of sentence under Section 389 Cr.P.C. While the power exercised under Section 439 CrPC is essentially discretionary in nature and operates at the pre-conviction stage, the jurisdiction under Section 389 Cr.P.C, though also discretionary, is qualitatively different and operates post-conviction. Under Section 389 CrPC, the appellate court is vested with a distinct authority; however, the core consideration before the appellate forum must necessarily be whether the judgment of conviction and the consequent order of sentence are sustainable in the eyes of law.

6. It is trite that the presumption of innocence, which ensures in favour of an accused, comes to an end upon conviction. Consequently, while considering an application under Section 389 CrPC, the appellate court is required to examine the grounds raised in the appeal, and for such purpose, the oral and documentary evidence must be looked into. Where, upon appreciation of evidence, it appears that the conclusions drawn by the trial court may be erroneous, and where logical, legal and sustainable arguments are advanced assailing the findings, disclosing a strong and arguable case, the appellate court is duty-bound to consider such contentions.

7. Where the sustainability of the conviction itself becomes debatable, and where the grounds raised in appeal, if adjudicated in favour of the appellant, disclose a real and substantial possibility of success, and where, prima facie, it appears that the conviction may be reversed and the appellant may be acquitted, the appellate court ought to suspend the sentence pending disposal of the appeal.

8. Such discretion deserves to be exercised with greater circumspection in cases where the appellate forum has sufficient reason to believe that the appeal