Madhya Pradesh High Court
Reena vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh on 29 October, 2025
Author: Vivek Agarwal
Bench: Vivek Agarwal
1 CRA-13310-2023
IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
AT JABALPUR
CRA No. 13310 of 2023
(REENA Vs THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH )
Dated : 29-10-2025
Shri Siddharth Datt - Advocate for the appellant.
Shri Manas Mani Verma - Public Prosecutor for the respondent-State.
Heard on I.A. No.2107/2024, first application under Section 389(1) of the Cr.P.C. for suspension of sentence and grant of bail to appellant Reena W/o Late Shri Vimlesh.
The appellant is aggrieved of the judgment dated 06.10.2023 passed by the learned Special Judge and Additional Judge to First Additional Sessions Judge, Sehore, District Sehore, whereby the appellant stands convicted for offence under Section 120-B read with Section 302 of IPC and sentenced to undergo life imprisonment and fine of Rs.5,000/- with a stipulation to undergo additional R.I. for 6 months in default of payment of fine amount.
Shri Siddharth Datt, learned counsel for the appellant submits that the present appellant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the case. It is true that she lost her husband, Vimlesh Verma, who was found murdered in a pulses field. It is further submitted that there are only general and omnibus allegations that the present applicant was having an illicit relationship with the main accused, Pankaj, and that she connived with him to eliminate her husband, Vimlesh Verma.
It is further submitted that all six witnesses, who are family members of deceased Vimlesh Verma, have not independently stated anything Signature Not Verified Signed by: PUSHPENDRA PATEL Signing time: 29-10-2025 18:43:22 2 CRA-13310-2023 regarding the alleged illicit relationship between the present applicant and Pankaj. They have merely deposed that in the presence of the T.I. Madam, Pankaj had admitted to having an illicit relationship with Reena. It is submitted that such a memorandum of Pankaj carries only limited evidentiary value.
It is also submitted that the investigation is so botched up and shabby that the Investigating Officer has even not bothered to mention which phone number belongs to the present applicant and which one belongs to the main accused, Pankaj. It is submitted that the applicant has been falsely implicated only to ensure that the complainant party is not burdened with the responsibility of maintaining her as widow of their deceased son, Vimlesh. It is submitted that there are good chances of success in the appeal. Hence, prayer is made to suspend the remaining jail sentence of the appellant and to release her on bail.
Shri Manas Mani Verma, learned Public Prosecutor, in his turn, opposes the prayer for suspension of sentence and grant of bail, but he is in agreement that there are no independent statements of any of the six prosecution witnesses, all of whom are family members of the deceased, to substantiate the alleged illicit relationship between the present applicant and the main accused, Pankaj. On the contrary, they have all given mechanical statements to the effect that when Pankaj was arrested, he made a memorandum before the T.I. Madam, wherein he mentioned the name of the present applicant.
After hearing learned counsel for the parties and going through the Signature Not Verified Signed by: PUSHPENDRA PATEL Signing time: 29-10-2025 18:43:22 3 CRA-13310-2023 record, so also considering the fact that the appeal is going to take time for its disposal, without commenting on the merits of the case, we are of the considered opinion that this is a fit case to suspend the remaining jail sentence of the appellant and to release him on bail. I.A.No.2107/2024 is accordingly allowed.
It is directed that on depositing the fine amount, if not already deposited and on furnishing a personal bond to the tune of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with two solvent sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court for her appearance before the trial court on 29.01.2026 and on such other dates as may be fixed by the trial court, which shall not be more than two times in a year, the execution of remaining part of the jail sentence imposed upon appellant Reena shall remain suspended and she shall be released on bail till final disposal of this appeal.
I.A.No.2107/2024 is allowed & disposed of.
List the case for final hearing in Part-B of the cause list as per its turn and seniority.
Certified copy as per rules.
(VIVEK AGARWAL) (AVANINDRA KUMAR SINGH)
JUDGE JUDGE
pp
Signature Not Verified
Signed by: PUSHPENDRA
PATEL
Signing time: 29-10-2025
18:43:22