Shesh Narayan vs State Of Chhattisgarh

Vimla Singh Kapoor, J

Facts involved in this case go to show that on 20.02.2006 when the truck bearing registration No. MP023-D-7796 was standing for loading the sand,

it ran over Krishna Kumar who was trying to get over it. Fact also show that while Krishna Kumar was getting over the truck, it started moving as a

result of which he fell down and was crushed to death. On matter being reported to the police by brother of the deceased (PW-1), an offence u/s 304-

A IPC was registered against the accused/applicant who acting in a rash and negligent manner had started the truck. After investigation, challan was

laid under that section and the applicant was prosecuted accordingly.

Trial Court, on appreciation of the evidence on record held the accused/applicant guilty u/s 304-A IPC and sentenced to undergo RI for nine months

with fine of Rs. 100/-. Lower Appellate Court also affirmed the findings of the trial Court vide judgment impugned.

At the very outset counsel for the applicant submits that he is not pressing the conviction of the applicant but his sole request would be for reduction

of the sentence to the period already undergone keeping in mind the matter being old and that the applicant has already remained inside for 11 days.

State counsel however supports the judgment impugned in letter and spirit.

Though the applicant has taken a defence that the death of the deceased was on account of his own mistake as he was trying to board the moving

truck, but PW-1 and PW-2 have refuted the same and stated that when the deceased was getting over the truck only then its driver (the applicant

herein) started the truck making the deceased fall down and meet the unfortunate death. PW-5 has also proved that at the relevant time the truck in

question was being driven by the accused/applicant himself. Thus the material on records speaks unequivocally against the accused/applicant to the

effect that the accident resulting in the death of deceased took place only on account of rash and negligent act of the accused/applicant. Both the

Courts below have thus not committed any legal error while holding the accused/applicant guilty u/s 304-A IPC. His conviction is thus maintained.

As regards sentence, keeping in mind various factors existing at the present such as the case is quite old, he has already remained inside for 11

days and by now he must be reeling under the pressure of family responsibilities, interest of justice tilts in his favour. Accordingly this Court does not

see any reason to again send him to jail and thereby disturb his well settled family life. Being so, the jail sentence imposed on him is reduced to the

period already undergone by the accused/applicant. However, in lieu thereof the fine of Rs. 100/- as imposed by the courts below is enhanced to Rs.

3,000/- to be deposited by him in the trial Court within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. This order will lose it

efficacy if the accused/applicant fails to makes such deposit within the time mentioned above.

With the above observations and modifications in the order impugned, the revision is thus allowed in part.