The High Court on Thursday suspended the penal sentence imposed on Dr K H Jnanendrappa, a Professor of Medicine and In-charge of Victoria Hospital’s Diabetic Clinic, who had been convicted for issuing false medical certificate to stamp papers scam kingpin Kareem Lala Telgi.

The order followed an appeal by Dr Jnanendrappa against his conviction and the penal sentence imposed by the Special Court at Parappana Agrahara on June 19, 2007.

The Special Court had convicted him on the charge of issuing false medical certificate to prime accused in the fake stamp papers case, Kareem Lala Telgi, in lieu of illegal gratification. It was alleged that with the help of this false medical certificate, Telgi was able to come out of jail when he was in judicial custody during 2002.

The Court had convicted him under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code and had sentenced him to seven years imprisonment, while also imposing Rs 14 lakh fine.

Justice A C Kabbin, who admitted Dr Jnanendrappa’s appeal for hearing passed an interim order suspending the operation of penal sentence for a period of one year or disposal of his appeal, whichever is earlier. The suspension was on the condition of depositing Rs 3.5 lakh (25 per cent of the fine amount imposed on him) with the special court.

The Court also granted him bail on the condition of furnishing a personal bond and a surety worth Rs 2 lakh each and upon a condition of appearing before the Court whenever directed.

The judge opined that the appeal’s disposal would take some time and that there was no possibility of his absconding, if enlarged on bail.