IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA
Sureshwar Thakur, J.
Kapil Raj Sharma - Appellant
Versus
Sharat Gargya - Respondent
Criminal Miscellaneous Petition No. 75 of 2018
Decided On : 21-05-2018
Compensation - Suspension of Sentence - Section 357, Section 138, Section 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 - The judgment discusses the applicability of Section 357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the imposition of compensation amount by the convicting Court. It highlights the interpretation of the legal provisions and their influence on the court's decision.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner/convict sought to challenge the orders of the learned Sessions Judge, which directed him to deposit a compensation amount and furnish personal and surety bonds. The petitioner had not complied with these orders and motioned the Court through the instant petition.
Finding of the Court:
The Court analyzed the verdict pronounced by the Hon'ble Apex Court in a similar case and emphasized that no condition can be imposed upon the petitioner/convict to compulsorily make a deposit of the compensation amount. The Court also discussed the statutory powers foisted upon the appellate Court to suspend the execution of sentences of imprisonment.
Issues: The issues revolved around the imposition of compensation amount, the statutory powers of the appellate Court, and the petitioner's compliance with the orders of the learned Sessions Judge.
Ratio Decidendi: The Court held that the insistence for depositing the compensation amount as a precondition for suspending the execution of the sentence of imprisonment may not be statutorily apt, especially when no sentence of imprisonment was pronounced by the convicting Court upon default. The Court also emphasized the need for fair deposit of the compensation amount to ensure its realization in case the convict's assets become unrealizable.
Final Decision: The petitioner/convict was directed to make a deposit of a reasonable amount before the Appellate Court within three weeks, and the impugned order was modified to that extent. All pending applications were also disposed of.
JUDGMENT
Sureshwar Thakur, J —The instant petition is directed against the orders pronounced, on, 20.1.2018/19.2.2018 by the learned Sessions Judge Solan, H.P., whereby he, in proceeding to suspend the execution of sentence(s) of imprisonment imposed upon the petitioner/convict, ordered him, to deposit the compensation amount, besides directed him to furnish personal and surety bond(s) in the sum of Rs. 50, 000/- each. Meteing compliance(s) therewith by the petitioner/convict, was, made imperative, for the orders recorded by the learned appellate Court, whereby, it temporarily suspended the execution of sentence(s) of imprisonment imposed upon him, by the learned trial Magistrate, hence taking absolute binding effect, during, the pendency of case bearing No. 2-NL/4 of 2018, before the learned Sessions Judge, Solan, District Solan, H.P. However, the petitioner has not meted compliance therewith, rather he has proceeded to assail the aforesaid directions, pronounced upon him, by his motioning this Court through the instant petition.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner/convict has drawn the attention of this Court, to a verdict pronounced by Hon''ble Apex Court in , titled as Dalip S. Dahanukar versus Kotak Mahindra Co.Ltd. and another , (2007) 6 SCC 528, paragraph 72, whereof is extracted hereinafter:
"72 We, therefore, are of the opinion:
(i) in a case of this nature, sub-Section (2) of Section 357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure would be attracted even when the appellant was directed to pay compensation;
(ii) the appellate Court, however, while suspending the sentence, was entitled to put the appellate on terms. However, no such term could be put as condition precedent for entertaining the appeal which is a constitutional and statutory right;
(iii) the amount of compensation must be a reasonable sum;
(iv) the Court, while fixing such amount, must have regard to all relevant factors including the one referred to in sub-Section (5) of Section 357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure;
(v) no unreasonable amount of compensation can be directed to be paid."
wherein it is mandated that even though, no condition can be imposed upon the petitioner/convict, by the learned appellate Court, to, compulsorily make deposit of the compensation amount imposed upon him, by the convicting Court nor its deposit being an imperative condition precedent, for, entertaining an appeal, yet, it is also mentioned therein, that deposit of compensation amount, being, in a reasonable sum.
3. A thorough incisive reading of the judgment supra, rendered by Hon''ble Apex Court, pertinently the trite orders assailed before it, orders whereof stand extracted hereinafter:
"Accused 1, company, M/s Goodvalue Marketing Co. Ltd. stands convicted for the offence punishable under Section 138 read with Section 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Accused 1 company is sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 25, 000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only) . In default of payment of fine, Accused 2 Mr.Dilip Dahanukar, the Chairman of Accused 1 and representative at the trial, shall suffer SI for 1 month.
Accused 2 Mr. Dilip Dahanukar, stands convicted for the offence punishable under Section 138 read with Section 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
Accused 2 is sentenced to suffer SI for 1 month.
Accused 2 is also directed to pay compensation to the complainant, quantified at Rs. 15, 00, 000 (Rupees fifteen lakhs only) , under Section 357 (3) Cr. P.C. Accused 2 is entitled to pay the amount of compensation in two equal monthly instalments of Rs. 7,50, 000 each. The first instalment of Rs. 7,50, 000 shall be paid on or before 23.3.2006 and the second instalment of Rs. 7,50, 000 shall be paid on or before 24.4.2006; in default of payment of the amount of compensation Accused 2 shall suffer further SI for 2 months." unveil (i) that the aggrieved accused No. 2 therein, was, sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment extending upto 1 month, for his committing an offence punish
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