Raghu vs The State of Tamil Nadu

G. Rajasuria, J.—Animadverting upon the order dated 5.1.2007 passed by the Principal Session Judge, Salem in C.A. No. 122 of 2006

modifying the judgement dated 30.8.2006 passed by the Judicial Magistrate No. IV, Salem, in C.C.69 of 2004, this criminal revision case is

focussed.

Compendiously and precisely, the facts which are absolutely necessary and germane for the disposal of this criminal revision case would run

thus:

(a) The police laid the police report in terms of Section 173 of Cr.P.C. as against the accused for the offence under Sections 311, 323, 324, 326

and 506(ii) of IPC. Inasmuch as the accused pleaded not guilty, trial was conducted.

(b) During enquiry, on the prosecution side P.Ws.1 to 11 were examined and Exs.P1 to P7 were marked. On the accuseds'' side no oral or

documentary evidence was adduced.

(c) Ultimately, the trial Court recorded the conviction and imposed the sentence as under:

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Case No Offence Punishment

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C.C. No. 69 of 2004 Section 324 IPC-A1 One year rigorous

Imprisonment

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(d) Challenging and impugning the order of the lower Court, the appeal in C.A. No. 122 of 2006 was filed before the Principal Sessions Judge,

Salem, which Court confirmed the conviction, but reduced the sentence from one year rigorous imprisonment to six months simple imprisonment.

Being dissatisfied and disconcerted with the judgements of both the Courts below, this revision has been filed on various grounds. However, the

learned Counsel for the revision petitioner, at the time of making his arguments, would make a supine submission to the effect that he is restricting

his arguments only regarding the reduction of sentence.

The point for consideration is as to whether the sentence of six months substantive imprisonment imposed by the appellate Court is sustainable in

law or whether it is not in accordance with the well established principle of penalogy.

The learned Counsel for the revision petitioner would implore and entreat that but for the factum of finding by then lower Court that one tooth of

the injured had fallen down, the remaining injuries are simple one and it is quite evident from the medical records and accordingly, he prayed that

no sentence of imprisonment might be awarded.

Whereas the learned Government Advocate would submit that this is a serious offence as the accused attacked the injured so vehemently and

forcibly, fiercely and ferociously, which resulted in the injured losing one of his teeth. Accordingly, the Government Advocate prays for dismissal of

the revision petition.

At this juncture, I would like to extract hereunder the injuries observed by the Doctor-P.W.9.

(i) Lacerated injury on the right upper lip to the extent of 4 X 1 X 1 c.m.

(ii) Lacerated injury on the left cheek to the extent of 5 X 3 X 2 c.m.

(iii) Lacerated injury on the left leg thumb to an extent of 1 X 1 X 1 c.m. And

(iv) Fall of tooth

A plain reading of the above would reveal and display that except the injury relating to falling of the tooth, all other injuries are simple in nature.

The age of the accused was 25, at the time of occurrence. As such, taking into consideration these factors, I am of the view that the sentence of six

months simple imprisonment could be reduced.

The learned Government Advocate would submit that during the pendency of the appeal, the revision petitioner underwent 15 days detention.

Taking into consideration the age of the accused and that he is not a recidivist and furthermore, the occurrence itself took place due to some

misunderstanding between the injured and the accused, I am of the view that imposing 15 days simple imprisonment u/s 324 of IPC would meet

the ends of justice. However, while reducing the same, I am inclined to impose fine also on the accused and accordingly, a fine of Rs. 3000/-

(Rupees three thousand only) is imposed, in default, the revision petitioner/accused shall undergo two months simple imprisonment. The fine

amount collected shall be paid to the injured as compensation u/s 357(3) of Cr.P.C. If the fine amount imposed here is not paid within a period of

one month from the date of receipt of copy of this order, this modified sentence will not enure to the benefit of the revision petitioner and the order

passed by the appellate Court shall hold good. Regarding the 15 days substantive sentence of imprisonment imposed by this Court, as stated by

the learned Government Advocate if the revision petitioner had already underwent the detention, then he need not be committed to jail to undergo

the 15 days imprisonment or otherwise he shall be made to undergo such imprisonment.

The criminal revision case is partly allowed.