THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA CRIMINAL PETITION No.12860 of 2010 ORDER: The petitioner is facing trial in C.C.No.233 of 2005 on the file of the Additional Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Addanki, for the alleged offence punishable under Section 417 IPC. The petitioner filed the present Criminal Petition seeking to dispense with his personal appearance in the said C.C. on the ground that as he is a practicing advocate and is a resident of Hyderabad, it is causing any amount of inconvenience for him to appear before the Court below on every date of adjournment. Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the State. In my considered view, the petitioner can as well file an application before the Court below under Section 317 Cr.P.C. seeking to dispense with his personal appearance or he can be represented by a special vakalat holder as provided for under Section 205 Cr.P.C. When once a person is accused of having committed an offence punishable under Section 417 IPC., in normal course, his presence is required. However, as this is an old case of the year 2005, the Additional Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Addanki, is hereby directed to decide C.C.No.233 of 2005 on its file at the earliest, preferably within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Subject to the above directions, the Criminal Petition is dismissed. ___________________________________ JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA 23rd December 2010 DR