JUDGMENT

The appeal in question is originated from a judgment passed by Additional Sessions Judge-II, Thiruvananthapuram on 22.05.2017 (for short, ‘the trial court’) whereby the appellant was found guilty for the offence under Sections 457 , 461, 380, 413 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short ‘the IPC ’) and convicted and sentenced. Appellant is the sole accused in S.C. No.540/2013 and he was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for ten years under Section 457 and to pay a fine of `10,000/- and to undergo imprisonment for three more months in case of default in payment of fine; to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 2 years under Section 461 ; to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay fine of `10,000/- under Section 380 and to undergo imprisonment for three more months in default of payment of fine. Set-off was also allowed for the period already undergone by him in custody prior to and during trial. Sentences were directed to be served concurrently.

2. Rather than delving on the arguments orally advanced by the learned counsel, this Court finds it appropriate and reasonable to extract the relevant portions of the argument note furnished by the l