Punjab-Haryana High Court
Vijay Kumar vs State Of Punjab And Another on 14 March, 2024
Neutral Citation No:=2024:PHHC:036876
2024:PHHC:036876
133
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
Crl. Misc. No. M-13268 of 2024
Date of Decision: March 14, 2024
Vijay Kumar
......Petitioner
versus
State of Punjab and another
.....Respondents
CORAM: HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HARPREET SINGH BRAR
***
Present:- Mr. Amritpal Singh Gill, Advocate
for the petitioner
***
Harpreet Singh Brar, J. (Oral)
1. The present petition has been filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. seeking quashing of order dated 08.02.2024 passed by Additional Sessions Judge, Amritsar in CRA/31/2024 titled as Vijay Kumar vs. Ramesh Kumar whereby while suspending the sentence awarded to the petitioner, a conditional order has been passed whereby the petitioner has been directed to deposit 20% of the compensation amount.
2. Brief facts of the case are that a complaint was filed by respondent against the petitioner under Sections 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (for short 'the Act') on the ground of dishonouring of cheque bearing No. 054777 dated 23.05.2017 amounting to Rs. 25,00,000/- issued in favour of respondent No. 2 by the petitioner in discharge of his liability. Respondent No. 2 filed a complaint against the petitioner in which vide order dated 10.01.2024 passed by Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Amritsar, he was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years and to pay compensation of Rs. 25,00,000/- to the complainant within two months. Thereafter, the petitioner 1 of 3 ::: Downloaded on - 15-03-2024 09:57:49 ::: Neutral Citation No:=2024:PHHC:036876 2024:PHHC:036876 Crl. Misc. No. M-13268 of 2024 -2- preferred an appeal against the said judgment of conviction and order of sentence before the learned Sessions Judge, Amritsar. Vide order dated 08.02.2024, learned Additional Sessions Judge, Amritsar while disposing of the application for suspension of sentence directed the petitioner to deposit 20% of compensation amount.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner inter alia contends that the learned lower Appellate Court failed to appreciate the facts in the right perspective and imposed the condition to deposit 20% of the compensation and such a condition is illegal, arbitrary and in violation of the law as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Criminal Appeal Nos.2741 of 2023 (@ SLP(Crl.) Nos. 4927 of 2023 Jamboo Bhandari vs. M.P. State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. and others, decided on 04.09.2023. Speaking through Justice Abhay S. Oka, it has been held as follows:-
"6. What is held by this Court is that a purposive interpretation should be made of Section 148 of the N.I. Act. Hence, normally, Appellate Court will be justified in imposing the condition of deposit as provided in Section 148. However, in a case where the Appellate Court is satisfied that the condition of deposit of 20% will be unjust or imposing such a condition will amount to deprivation of the right of appeal of the appellant, exception can be made for the reasons specifically recorded.
7. Therefore, when Appellate Court considers the prayer under Section 389 of the Cr.P.C. of an accused who has been convicted for offence under Section 138 of the N.I. Act, it is always open for the Appellate Court to consider whether it is an exceptional case which warrants grant of suspension of sentence without imposing the condition of deposit of 20% of the fine/compensation amount. As stated earlier, if the Appellate Court comes to the conclusion that it 2 of 3 ::: Downloaded on - 15-03-2024 09:57:49 ::: Neutral Citation No:=2024:PHHC:036876 2024:PHHC:036876 Crl. Misc. No. M-13268 of 2024 -3- is an exceptional case, the reasons for coming to the said 4 conclusion must be recorded."
4. Having heard learned counsel for the petitioner and after perusing the judgment passed in Jamboo Bhandari (supra), the lower Appellate Court was required to consider whether the present case falls in the exception or not. The impugned order dated 08.02.2024 (Annexure P-5) whereby, the condition of depositing 20% of compensation amount awarded has been imposed is hereby set aside. The learned lower Appellate Court is directed to re-examine the case after granting an opportunity to the petitioner to make submissions regarding the exceptional circumstances and decide whether it is a fit case that warrants waiver of the requirement of deposit of 20% of the compensation awarded by learned trial Court.
5. The matter is remanded back to the learned lower Appellate Court with a direction to decide the matter afresh in accordance with law in the light of judgment passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Jamboo Bhandari's case (supra).
6. The petition is disposed of accordingly.
(HARPREET SINGH BRAR)
March 14, 2024 JUDGE
reena
Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No
Whether Reportable : Yes/No
Neutral Citation No:=2024:PHHC:036876
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