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2022 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 60730

MADRAS HIGH COURT
Unnamed Judge, J
Subramani K. C. (Died) and Another v. State and Another
Criminal Revision Case|Spl.S.C.No.13 of 2015|S.L.P.Crl.No.10306 of 2019|Crl.O.P.No.3667 of 2003



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.S.Sathia Chandran
For the Respondents: Mr. V Karthikeyan, Mr.L.Baskaran

The victim's right to appeal is restricted by statute, and a revision for sentence enhancement is permissible without prior appeal against acquittal; principles of proportionality in sentencing were upheld.

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code - Sections 447, 341, 294(b), 506(ii) - Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 - Criminal Revision Case initiated against the imposition of a nominal fine for the offences of trespass and intimidation - Trial Court acquitted accused of serious offences under SC/ST Act, which the petitioner contested without an appeal against acquittal - Supreme Court found error in enhancing the sentence without legal representation - Acquitted respondents of sections 447, 341, and 294(b) IPC, affirmed conviction under Section 506(ii) IPC with modified sentence of imprisonment already served. (Paras 1, 4, 11, 26, 35)

(B) Criminal Procedure Code - Section 372 - The victim's right to appeal lies strictly within the parameters defined by statute, limiting the ability to contest sentence enhancement without an existing appeal from accused - Revision is maintainable in the absence of an appeal. (Paras 22, 31)

(C) Principles of Sentencing - The principle of proportionality in sentencing as emphasized by the Supreme Court - The nature of the offence, the gravity and nature of the acts committed were considered in modifying the sentence. (Paras 14, 35)

Facts of the case:
Aggrieved by a nominal fine imposed for various IPC offences stemming from land dispute and intimidation where the accused reportedly used derogatory language linked to caste, the petitioner sought a harsher sentence after the original complainant's death.

Findings of Court:
The Court reversed the acquittals while affirming the conviction for intimidation; however, the sentencing was adjusted to reflect time served.

Issues: Whether the revision is maintainable under the amended Section 372, if the accused’s acquittal could be contested without a filed appeal, and whether the sentence is adequate.

Ratio Decidendi: The Court reaffirmed that the victim's appeal rights are limited and cited precedents on the necessity for the defendant's representation, as well as the sentencing principles governing the seriousness of the matter at hand.

Result: Revision allowed in part, convictions modified with the fine refunded for acquitted charges.

Table of Content
1. revision filed by de facto complainant (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5)
2. analysis of trial court's findings (Para 9 , 10 , 11 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 31)
3. arguments regarding maintainability and appeal (Para 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16)
4. conviction and sentencing principles addressed (Para 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35)
5. final judgment and order issued (Para 36)

1. A. The Revision : This Criminal Revision Case was originally filed by Mr. K. C. Subramani, P.W.1 / de facto complainant in Spl.S.C.No.13 of 2015, aggrieved by the Judgment of the Learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Vellore in Spl.S.C.No.13 of 2015, dated 04.12.2006, imposing the sentence of only a fine of Rs.200/- each, for the offence under S.447 3of I.P.C., in default to undergo, one week imprisonment; a fine of Rs.100/- each, for the offence under S.341 of I.P.C., in default to undergo, one week imprisonment; a fine of Rs.100/- each, for the offence under S.294(b) of I.P.C., in default to undergo, one week imprisonment; a fine of Rs.5,000/- each for the offence under S.506(ii) of I.P.C., in default to undergo, three months imprisonment, and to impose an appropriate sentence on the accused, who are guilty of the offences.

2. B. Remand by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India : The accused had paid their respective fine amounts and had not preferred an appeal against the conviction and sentence. Originally, by an order dated 24.10.2018, the Criminal revision was taken up by this Court and the respondents 2 and 3 / accused were not present. After considering the case on merits the sentence was enhanced, imposing imprisonment sentences for the offences proved. As against the order of this Court the petitioner / accused preferred an appeal in S.L.P.Crl.No.10306 of 2019. By order dated 29th November 2021, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India held that the action of this Court in enhancing the sentence without the accused being represented by Legal Aid Counsel is erroneous even if they had not engaged a counsel, and remanded the matter back to this Court.

3. In the meanwhile, the original revision petitioner / K.C.Subramani died and upon being furnished the particulars of the legal heir, namely, his son Mr.S.Vinayagam, this Court impleaded him as the second petitioner in the case. It is pertinent to state here that originally the matter was before the Learned District and Session Judge, Vellore in Spl.S.C.No.13 of 2015 as the respondents 2 and 3 / accused were also charged for an offence under S.3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Trial Court disbelieved the case of the prosecution in respect of the said offence and acquitted the respondents 2 and 3 / accused of the said offences, however, no appeal is preferred either by State or by P.W.1 / de - facto complainant, or his legal heirs as against the acquittal of the respondents 2 and 3 / accused in respect of the said charges.

4. C. The Complaint and the trial : On 06.11.2003, P.W.1 / K.C.Subramani, went to Thiruvalam Police Station, Vellore District and handed over a copy of the complaint dated 05.10.2003 along with the order of this Court in Crl.O.P.No.3667 of 2003 dated 23.10.2003, directing the respondent / Police, to consider the complaint and register a case if offences are made out. In the complaint, P.W.1 stated that he belonged to the scheduled caste, he was the owner of the land in S.No.75/2. The owner of the adjacent land in S.No.75/2B viz., Kandhasamy gounder had encroached a portion of his land, therefore, he had approached the Civil Court by way of O.S.No.616 of 1986 for declaration and possession and the same was decreed in his favour on 04.08.1999. Similarly, he had filed against one more person by name Yelyonan, in respect of S.No.75/1 and he has surrendered the possession.

5. Pursuant to the decree against Kandhasamy gounder, an execution petition was filed in which, possession was taken. On 05.10.2003 at 8.00 a.m., when he and his wife and













































































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