Partly allowed

K.P.Chandran v. S.a.Joseph

Kerala HC20 Feb 2009Crl.Rev.Pet/377/2003

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Appellant challenged conviction and sentence for cheque dishonour under Sec. 138 NI Act. Court confirmed conviction but modified default imprisonment to fine of Rs. 15,000 relying on Supreme Court precedent.

What did the court decide?

Conviction confirmed. Sentence modified to pay fine of Rs. 15,000 as compensation within three months. Default imprisonment of three months if not paid.

K.P.Chandran Vs S.a.Joseph — Cheque Dishonour | Kerala HC (2009)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

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PRESENT :

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.RAMKUMAR

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FRIDAY, THE 20TH FEBRUARY 2009 / 1ST PHALGUNA 1930

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Crl.Rev.Pet.No. 377 of 2003()

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----------------------------CRA.39/2002 of I ADDL.SESSIONS COURT, ERNAKULAM CC.57/2000 of JUDL.MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS-II, KOCHI ....................

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REVN. PETITIONER(S): APPELLANT/ACCUSED

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K.P.CHANDRAN, S/O. NEELAKANDAN, AGED 53, 30/1507, MARANA ROAD, VYTTILA, KOCHI-19.

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BY ADV. SRI.JAIJI ITTEN

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RESPONDENT(S): RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT & STATE

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S.A.JOSEPH,S/O. S.B.ANTHEPPAN, AGED 35, SURYAPPALLY HOUSE, MUNDAMVELI P.O., KOCHI-682 507.

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STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, ERNAKULAM.

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ADV. SRI.P.E.THOMAS FOR R1 SRI.B.M.AJITH

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PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI. JAYAKRISHNAN

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THIS CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 20/02/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING:

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V.RAMKUMAR, J.

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Crl.R.P. No. 377 of 2003

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Dated: 20-02-2009

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O R D E R

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In this Revision Petition filed under Section 397 read with Sec. 401 Cr.P.C. the petitioner who was the accused in C.C. No. 57 of 2000 on the file of the J.F.C.M. , Ernakulam challenges the conviction entered and the sentence passed against him for an offence punishable under Sec. 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act'). The cheque amount was Rs. 22,000/- The fine/compensation ordered by the lower appellate court is Rs.12,000/-

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I heard the learned counsel for the Revision Petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor.

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The learned counsel appearing for the Revision Petitioner re-iterated the contentions in support of the Revision.

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The courts below have concurrently held that the cheque in question was drawn by the petitioner in favour of the complainant, that the complainant had validly complied with clauses (a) and (b) of the proviso to Section 138 of the Act. and that the

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Crl.R.P. No. 377 of 2003 -:2:-

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Revision Petitioner/accused failed to make the payment within 15 days of receipt of the statutory notice. Both the courts have considered and rejected the defence set up by the revision petitioner while entering the conviction. The said conviction has been recorded after a careful evaluation of the oral and documentary evidence. I do not find any error, illegality or impropriety in the evidence so recorded concurrently by the courts belowand the same is hereby confirmed.

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What now survives for consideration is the legality of the sentence imposed on the revision petitioner. In the light of the recent decision of the Supreme Court in Ettappadan Ahammedkutty v. E.P. Abdullakoya - 2008 (1) KLT 851 default sentence cannot be imposed for the enforcement of an order for compensation under Sec. 357 (3) Cr.P.C. I am, therefore, inclined to modify the sentence to one of fine only. Accordingly, for the conviction under Section 138 of the Act the revision petitioner is sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 15,000 /- (Rupees fifteen thousand only) (from the said amount of Rs. 15,000/-, amounts if any deposited by the revision petitioner before the trial court pursuant to orders of the lower appellate court or this Court shall be deducted) . The said fine shall be paid as compensation under Section 357 (1) Cr.P.C. The revision petitioner is permitted either to deposit the said fine amount before the Court below or directly pay the compensation to the complainant within three months from today and produce a memo to that effect before the trial Court in case of direct payment. If he fails to deposit or pay the said

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Crl.R.P. No. 377 of 2003

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-:3:-

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amount within the aforementioned period he shall suffer simple imprisonment for three months by way of default sentence.

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In the result, this Revision is disposed of confirming the conviction entered but modifying the sentence imposed on the revision petitioner.

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Dated this the 20^th day of February, 2009.

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Sd/-V. RAMKUMAR, JUDGE.

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/true copy/

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Crl.R.P. No. 377 of 2003 -:4:-

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V.RAMKUMAR, J.

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Crl.R.P. No. 377 of 2003 ................................................ Dated: 20-02-2009

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O R D E R

K.P.Chandran v. S.a.Joseph

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

K.P.Chandran v. S.a.Joseph

Case brief

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