Kerala High Court
S. Kamaludeen S/O. Shahul Hameed vs Union Of India (Uoi), The State Of Kerala ... on 1 March, 2007
Author: R. Basant
Bench: R. Basant
JUDGMENT R. Basant, J.
1. The petitioner faces indictment in a prosecution under Section 138 of the N.I. Act. He was found guilty, convicted and sentenced. The verdict of guilty, conviction and sentence have now become final with the order passed by this Court in revision dated 30/7/01 in Crl.R.P. No. 144/00.The petitioner now faces a sentence of rigorous imprisonment for a period of six months and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/- and in default, to undergo simple imprisonment for a further period of three months.It is submitted that the matter has subsequently been settled with the complainant. The respondent/de facto complainant has entered appearance.Parties have filed a joint application for composition.It is reported that the matter has been settled between the parties and the complainant has compounded the offence under Section 138 of the N.I. Act committed by the petitioner.Of course, such composition has been after the disposal of Crl.R.P. No. 144/00.
2. The petition was filed initially for a direction to the 1st respondent to consider the application for composition and other appropriate reliefs.Subsequently, in the light of the decision rendered in Sabu George v. Home Secretary W.P.(c) No. 34540/06 dated 14/2/07, the petitioner now prays that the powers under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. may be invoked and the petitioner may be saved of the sentence of imprisonment.
3. In the light of the decision in the said case, powers under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. (and of course Article 226/227 of the Constitution) can be invoked by this Court if it is satisfied that in the interests of justice, because of subsequent composition of the compoundable offence, the petitioner deserves to be spared in of a deterrent substantive sentence of imprisonment.
4. I am, in the facts and circumstances of this case, satisfied that the petitioner deserves to be spared in the interests of justice from a deterrent substantive sentence of rigorous imprisonment for a period of six months. Accepting the composition, there can hence be a direction under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. setting aside the execution of the substantive sentence of rigorous imprisonment for six months.
5. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed in p It is directed that the substantive rigorous imprisonment for six months imposed on the petitioner as per judgment in C.C. No. 348/95 on the file of the Judicial First Class Magistrate's Court, Kottarakkara, which has become final as per the judgment in Crl.A. No. 145/98 of the Sessions Court, Kollam and Crl.R.P. No. 144/00 passed by this Court shall not be executed against the petitioner.
6. The petitioner shall, of course, be liable to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/- and in default, to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of three months. The petitioner shall pay the amount of fine of Rs. 5,000/- within a period of one week from this date. The default sentence shall not be executed till that date (i.e., 8/3/07).