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Kariyappalada Maddanappa S/O Halappa vs The State Of Karnataka
2025 Latest Caselaw 4258 Kant

Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 4258 Kant
Judgement Date : 21 February, 2025

Karnataka High Court

Kariyappalada Maddanappa S/O Halappa vs The State Of Karnataka on 21 February, 2025

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                                                   CRL.RP No. 100207 of 2018




                   IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH
                          DATED THIS THE 21ST DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025
                                          BEFORE
                    THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAMACHANDRA D. HUDDAR
                       CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION NO. 100207 OF 2018
                                  (397(CR.PC)/438(BNSS))
                   BETWEEN:

                   KARIYAPPALADA MADDANAPPA S/O. HALAPPA,
                   AGE: ABOUT 29 YEARS,
                   OCC: DRIVER OF AUTO BEARING
                   REG. NO. KA-35/A-7744, ,
                   R/O. K. AYYANAHALLI VILLAGE,
                   KUDLIGI TALUK, BALLARI DISTRICT,
                                                                ...PETITIONER

                   (BY SRI. PRASHANT. S. KADADEVAR, ADVOCATE)
                   AND:

                   THE STATE OF KARNATAKA,
                   REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,
                   HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH,
                   IN HADAGALI POLICE STATION,
                   HADAGALI, HADAGALI TALUK, BALLARI DISTRICT.

                                                              ...RESPONDENT
Digitally signed
by
SHAKAMBARI         (BY SMT. MALA. BHUTE, ADVOCATE)
Location: High
Court of
Karnataka,              THIS CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION IS FILED UNDER
Dharwad Bench      SECTION 397(1) AND 401 OF CODE OF CRMINAL PROCEDURE
                   1973. PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGEMENT DATED
                   29.08.2018 PASSED BY THE III ADDL. DISTRICT AND
                   SESSIONS JUDGE AT BALLARI IN CRIMINAL APPEAL
                   NO. 5033/2016 AND ETC.

                        THIS PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED ON
                   03.02.2025. COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT OF ORDER,
                   THIS DAY, RAMACHANDRA D. HUDDAR, J., MADE THE ORDER
                   THEREIN AS UNDER:
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CORAM:    THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAMACHANDRA D.
          HUDDAR


                        CAV ORDER

(PER: THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE RAMACHANDRA D. HUDDAR)


This Revision Petition is directed against the judgment of

conviction and order of sentence dated 24th March 2016

passed in CC No.162/2012 by the Civil Judge and JMFC,

Hadagali and confirmed in Criminal Appeal No.5033/2016

dated 29th August 2018 by the III Additional District and

Sessions Judge, Ballari sitting at Hosapete.


     2.    The parties to this revision petition are referred

as per their rank before the trial Court.


     3.    That the accused/present petitioner was charge

sheeted by CPI, Hadagali Circle, Hadagali for the offences

punishable under Sections 279, 337, 338, 304A of IPC and

Sections 183, 187 and 192A of Indian Motor Vehicle Act

alleging that on 13.7.2011 when CWs. 1 to 8 and

deceased Kumari Shantha Uppar were traveling in his APE

Auto bearing Regn.No.KA-35/A-7744 on hire basis and
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when    they   were   returning    from   Bettadamalleshwara

temple after performing Pooja at about 5.10 a.m. because

of rash and negligent driving of said auto, it was capsized.

The said accident has taken place because of rash and

negligent driving of the said vehicle by the accused. In the

said accident, CWs 1 to 8 sustained simple and grievous

injuries and Kumari Shantha Uppar died because of

accidental injuries on the way to the Hospital. With these

allegations, a complaint came to be filed by PW.1 which

was registered in Crime No.29/2011 of Ittigi Police Station

and criminal law was set in motion.


       4.   On completion of the investigation, the CPI filed

the charge sheet against the accused for the aforesaid

offences. On filing the charge sheet, cognizance of the

offence was taken, presence of the accused was secured

and he was enlarged on bail. Copies of the police papers

were furnished to him as contemplated under Section 207

of Cr.PC. After recording the plea of the accused, he

pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.
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     5.     To prove the guilt of the accused, prosecution in

all examined 16 witnesses and got marked Ex.P1 to P18 so

also MOs Nos.1 and 2 and thereafter closed prosecution

evidence. On closure of prosecution evidence, accused was

questioned under Section 313 of the Cr.PC so as to enable

him to answer the incriminating circumstances appearing

in the     evidence   of   the    prosecution.     He   denied   his

complicity in the crime and did not choose to lead any

defence evidence.


     6.     On hearing the arguments and after evaluation

and assessment of the evidence, the learned trial Court

found     the   accused     guilty      of   committing    offences

punishable under Sections 279, 337, 338 304A of IPC and

Sec.183,    187   and      192A    of   Motor    Vehicle   Act   and

sentenced him as under:

            "The accused is sentenced undergo S.I. for
        one year for the offence p/u/s. 304(A) of IPC and
        pay fine of Rs.5.000/- and in default of payment
        of fine, he shall undergo S.I. for one month.

            The accused is sentenced to undergo S.I. for
        one month for the offence p/u/s. 279 of IPC and
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      pay fine of Rs.800/-, in default of payment of
      fine, he shall undergo S.I. for 10 days.

            The accused is sentenced to undergo S.I. for
      one month for the offence p/u/s. 337 of IPC and
      pay fine of Rs.500/-, in default of payment of
      fine, he shall undergo S.I. for 10 days.

            The accused is sentenced to undergo S.I. for
      one month for the offence p/u/s. 338 of IPC and
      pay fine of Rs.900/-, in default of payment of
      fine, he shall undergo S.I. for 10 days.

           The accused is sentenced to pay fine of
      Rs.100/- for the offence p/u/s.183 of IMV Act, in
      default of payment of fine, he shall undergo S.I.
      for 10 days.

           The accused is sentenced to pay line of
      Rs.800/- for the offence p/u/s.187 of IMV Act, in
      default of payment of fine, he shall undergo S.I.
      for 10 days.

           The accused is sentenced to pay fine of
      Rs.2,000/- for the offence p/u/s.192-A of IMV
      Act, in default of payment of fine, he shall
      undergo S.I. for 10 days.

          All the sentences are run concurrently."


     7.   Being   aggrieved     by    the   said   judgment   of

conviction and order of sentence passed by the trial Court,

the accused preferred Criminal Appeal no.5033/2016

before the III Additional District and Sessions Judge,

Ballari sitting at Hosapete. The First Appellate Court on
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hearing    the    arguments     of     both   side   confirmed       the

judgment     of   the   trial   Court     vide    judgment         dated

29.8.2018. This is how now the petitioner is before this

Court seeking setting aside of impugned judgments of the

Courts below.


     8.     The learned counsel for the petitioner Sri

Prashanth    S.Kadadevar        would    submit      that,   the    said

accident has not taken place because of rash and

negligent driving of offending vehicle by the accused in the

manner alleged by the prosecution. He would submit that,

when the accused was driving his vehicle along with CWs 1

to 8 and deceased Shantha, it was a hilly area and he had

taken all available precautions. When the said vehicle

came at the curve area, because of coming across of the

cattle from the forest area situated by the side of the

scene of offence, he applied brake and the said cattle

dashed to the auto and thereby it was capsized. He would

submit that, this factual situation though elicited in the

cross examination from the mouth of witnesses examined
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by the prosecution is not appreciated by the trial Court as

well as the first appellate Court. He would submit that,

because of the intervention of the said cattle, the said

accident has taken place. Therefore, he would submit that,

no rashness and negligence can be attributed against the

accused. He would further submit that, if the court comes

to the conclusion that, the said accident has taken place

because of rash and negligent driving of the offending

auto, the punishment so imposed by the trial Court and

confirmed by the first appellate Court have to be set aside

and it has to be modified by setting aside the sentence of

imprisonment for the offence under Section 304A of IPC

and fine may be imposed.


     9.   In support of his submission, he relied upon the

judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in a case between

Prakash   Chandra Agnihotri        v.   State   of   Madhya

Pradesh reported in 1990 (Supp) SCC 764 and also

judgment in Surendran v. Sub-Inspector of police in

Criminal Appeal No.536/2021 decided on 30.6.2021.
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Placing reliance upon these two judgments, he would

submit that, so far as offence under Section 304A of IPC is

concerned, accused is sentenced to undergo imprisonment

for one year and also pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- with default

sentence. In view of the judgment cited supra, as the

offence has taken place in the year 2011 and after 14

years of such occurrence sending the accused to undergo

the imprisonment would be rather harsh, therefore, in the

ends of promoting justice, he would submit to impose fine

only. He prays to allow the revision petition.


     10.   As    against   this       submission,     the   learned

Smt.Mala Bhuti, AGA for State supported the reasons

assigned by the trial Court as well as first appellate Court

and would submit that, the very carrying of eight

passengers along with him in the offending vehicle having

a   minimum     capacity   to   carry     the    passengers    itself

amounts    to   rashness   and        negligence.    Learned   AGA

submits that, when the accused knew that he was driving

the said vehicle in a hilly area, surrounded by the forest
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that too getting down from the hilly area he would have

been more cautious. The said accident has taken place in a

steep curve area and because of his rashness and

negligence only, the said offending vehicle capsized and

inmates of the said auto sustained simple and grievous

injuries and deceased Shantha having sustained grievous

injuries on the vital part of her body died on the way to

the Hospital. It was a sheer negligence and rashness on

the part of the accused. Therefore, Smt.Mala Bhuti, AGA

supports the reasons assigned by the trial Court and the

first appellate Court. She would submit that the citations

so relied upon by the counsel for the accused have no

relevance to the facts of the case and each case has to be

decided based upon the facts of each case. Therefore, she

submits to dismiss the petition.


     11.   I have given my anxious consideration to the

arguments of both the side, perused the records. In view

of rival submissions of both the side, the point that is to be

decided in this revision is:
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    "Whether the learned trial Court as well as First
    Appellate Court have committed any factual or
    legal   error in finding the accused guilty         of
    committing the offences and sentencing him as
    aforesaid?"


     My answer to the above point is in the negative for

the following reasons:


     12.    Before adverting to the other aspects of the

case, it is just and proper to narrate the admitted facts

between both the sides. Accused was the driver of APE

Auto bearing Regn.No.KA-35/A-7744 when the accident

took place on 13.7.2011 at 5.10 p.m. At the time of the

said accident, CWs 1 to 8 and Kum.Shantha Uppara were

travelling as inmates of the said auto. In the said accident,

CWs 1 to 5 and 7 and 8 sustained simple injuries and

grievous injuries and CW.6 suffered grievous injuries. In

the said accident, Kum.Shantha Uppara having sustained

grievous accidental injuries died on the way to the

Hospital. The said accident has taken place not because of

any mechanical defects in the auto. With regard to the
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said accident, a crime was registered in Crime No.29/2011

of Ittigi Police Station for the aforesaid offences. These are

the admitted facts which need not be proved. However, to

prove about the death of Shantha Uppara in the said

accident,   the   prosecution     relied   upon   the   inquest

panchanama marked as Ex.P5 and PM report as per

Ex.P10. Ex.P11 to P18 are the wound certificates of CWs 1

to 8 which prove the simple and grievous injuries

sustained by the inmates of the said auto vehicle. It is not

in dispute that, these CW.1 to 8 were traveling as inmates

along with Shantha Uppara in the said vehicle. The

photographs so produced show where exactly the accident

has taken place and also show the dead body of deceased

Shantha, they are marked at Ex.P2 to P4. Ex.P6 is the

spot panchanama and P7 is the rough sketch. Contents of

these two documents are not disputed by the defence.

Ex.P8 is the IMV report which is also not disputed by the

defence. Ex.P1 is the complaint and P9 is the FIR. While

marking the aforesaid documents and MOs nos.1 and 2,

no little finger was raised by the defence.
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     13.   Now   let   me   analyze      as    to   whether   the

prosecution is able to establish the guilt of the accused

beyond all reasonable doubt. To prove the said fact,

prosecution is under obligation to prove the essential

ingredients of Section 279 of IPC, that a person drives any

vehicle, such driving is on any public way, in a rash and

negligent manner endangering human life which is likely to

cause hurt or injury to any other person. That means,

specific evidence is required to be adduced by the

prosecution to prove the rash and negligent driving if any

on the part of the accused. Accused was a driver of the

said offending vehicle and he was driving the said vehicle

on a public way is not in dispute. Categorically accused

admits the same. So also, at the time of accident, PW.1 Y.

Mallikarjuna complainant the physical education teacher,

PW.2 Girija, PW.3 Geetha, PW.4 Manjula PW.5 Anjali,

PW.6 M.Sunil Kumar were the inmates of the said vehicle

along with deceased Shantha is not in dispute.
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     14.   On scrupulous reading of PWs 1 to 6 stated

supra, consistently these inmates of the offending vehicle

driven by accused have stated that, as the accused was

driving the vehicle in high speed, in a rash and negligent

manner, because of the same, it capsized. This evidence

spoken to by these PWs.1 to 6 is not properly denied in

the cross-examination. The fact that was tried to bring on

record was, because of movement of the cattle on the

road which came from the forest side and they were

fighting with each other, at that time, they came and

dashed to the offending vehicle and because of the same,

the said accident took place. The said accident has taken

place at 5.10 p.m. on 13.7.2011. It is elicited that, during

evening hours after grazing, the cattle move towards their

respective houses. That means, the fact of movement of

the cattle was very much within the knowledge of accused.

Further, he was driving his vehicle in a hilly area and he

was getting down from the hilly area on the public way.

These inmates have given graphic account of the accident

that, how far the accused was rash and negligent in
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driving his vehicle. When the capacity of the said vehicle

was just at the most 3+1, he was carrying eight

passengers on hire basis and PW.1 states that, all of them

hired the said vehicle to go to the aforesaid temple.

Beyond the capacity and permit, the accused carried the

passengers and this act of the accused itself amounts to

rashness and negligence. Therefore, police have filed

charge sheet against the accused for violation of the

permit conditions. This fact is not denied by the accused.


       15.   As stated supra, as per the FIR and evidence

collected by the IO, so also the evidence of PWs 1 to 6

stated supra, have consistently spoken about the rash and

negligent driving of the auto by the accused. Because of

the said rash and negligent act being the proximate cause

for the accident, he is found guilty by the Courts below.

That    means,    the   accident      was    caused   by    the

accused/petitioner was the direct and proximate cause

which lead to the death of Shantha Uppar. Therefore, we

do not find any error committed by the trial Court and
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appellate Court in giving such findings. The said vehicle

itself was capsized and PWs 1 to 6 categorically have

spoken about the accident and both the courts have given

concurrent findings. The prosecution has taken pain to

examine      16   witnesses   and      got   marked   substantial

documents which are marked without any objections. The

very act of the accused can be gathered to determine the

speed of the vehicle that whether the accused was driving

rashly and negligently. Even the law says, if the driver is

driving the vehicle in slow speed but recklessly and

negligently, it would amount to `rash and negligent

driving' within the meaning of Section 279 of IPC. By the

words `rash driving', it cannot be automatically imagined

that, the offending vehicle alleged to be rash in its driving,

should also necessarily be coupled with high speed - a

rash act is primarily an over hasty act - opposed to a

deliberate    act.   Taking    into      consideration   of   the

topographical features of the road in a curve area, the said

offending vehicle capsized, then, it can be inferred that,

this accused was very much rash though knew that eight
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passengers were traveling as inmates of his vehicle and

this rash act can be termed as deliberate act i.e. done by

the accused without due care and caution. That means, it

was imperative duty of the accused to drive his vehicle

when he was carrying eight passengers with him to adopt

such reasonable and proper care and precaution so as to

save the consequential injuries, as well as life of inmates.

But, PWs. 1 to 6 are categorical about the rash and

negligent act with the deliberate driving of vehicle in that

manner.


     16.   PW.7 B.Vaamadev is pancha to Ex.P6 and he

has signed the said document at the scene of offence and

also speaks about taking of photographs. Though he has

been cross-examined by the defence, but he is consistent

about his presence when the said panchanama was

prepared by the Police. PW.8 Bhavikatti Beeresh is another

pancha to Ex.P6 and he corroborates the evidence of PW.7

in material particulars. He too has withstood the test of

cross-examination. PW.9 Kotresh is the owner of the said
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Auto vehicle bearing Regn.KA-35/A-7744 he is specific

that, accused at the time of accident was driver of the said

vehicle and he came to know about the accident and

injuries suffered by the inmates of the vehicle so also the

death of Shantha. Evidence of this PW.9 is not disputed by

the defence.


      17.   PW.10 P.Chaman Sab, the then HC of Hadagali

PS carried the FIR to the Magistrate and this fact is not

disputed by the defence. No cross-examination is directed

to   PW.10.    PW.11   N.Shekhar     the   MV   Inspector   had

mechanically examined the vehicle and opined that said

accident has taken place not because of any mechanical

defects though he found four damages to the said vehicle

which are post accident. The fact of opinion expressed by

this PW.11 the MV Inspector is not disputed by the

defence.


      18.   PW.12 K.G.Govindaraj, the then PSI on getting

information about the accident went to the Hospital and

recorded the statement of PW.1, registered the crime and
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set the criminal law in motion. Though lengthy cross

examination is directed to this PW.12 but, nothing worth is

elicited to disbelieve his version stated in his chief

examination.


      19.     PW.13    Dr.Shivakumar          is   the    doctor   who

conducted the Post mortem on the dead body of deceased

Shantha as per Ex.P10 and opines that because of the

accidental injuries, Shantha died. He also examined the

inmates of the said vehicle and issued the wound

certificate   stated   supra   and      the    said      inmates   have

sustained accidental injuries. The fact of conducting post

mortem and the clinically examining the injured is not

disputed by the defence. Therefore, the evidence of this

doctor has to be accepted that, he has conducted the post

mortem on the dead body of deceased Shantha Uppara

and clinically examined the inmates of the said vehicle and

issued the wound certificate stated supra.


      20.     PW.14 Prakash Rathod was CPI at the relevant

time who took up the investigation, went to scene of
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offence,   conducted   panchanama           on   completion   of

investigation he filed the charge sheet. In all criminal

cases, panchas are authors of panchanama and IOs are

the supervisors of investigation therefore, evidence of

PW.13 AND 14 has to be accepted about registering the

crime and conducting investigation and filing of charge

sheet.


     21.   PW.15 Chandrappa B., is inquest pancha to

Ex.P5    and   he   speaks   about     conducting   of   inquest

panchanama on the dead body of deceased so also

Kotresh. Death of Shantha Uppara is not denied therefore,

evidence of PW.15 AND 16 has to be accepted that they

were present when the said panchanama was prepared.


     22.   In a case of present nature, the scene of

pancahnama as well as sketch plays an important role

which depicts the exact scene of offence. On scrupulous

reading of these two documents, they do suggest that, the

said accident has taken place in a downal area coming

from Bettadamalleshwara Temple road that too in a curve
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area in the middle of the road. The accused had sufficient

space towards his left side and right side of the road. None

of the witnesses have spoken that, cattle came across the

vehicle fighting with each other and dashed to the

offending vehicle. The suggestions so directed to PW. 1 to

6 in this regard is categorically denied by these witnesses

being the inmates of the said offending vehicle. So

therefore,   the   evidence      placed     on    record    by   the

prosecution categorically proves that, because of rash and

negligent driving of offending vehicle only which was the

direct and proximate cause which lead to the death of

Shantha and injuries to PW.1 to 6 itself, proves the act of

rash and negligent driving of offending vehicle by the

accused. So to say, there was no other intervening

negligent act which became the cause for the accident. In

a case of present nature, the evidence spoken to by the

witnesses    especially   that     of     PWs.1    to   6   remain

unchallenged which supports the case of the prosecution.

In this case, undue sympathy cannot be shown which may

result in miscarriage of justice and might undermine the
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confidence    of   public   in   criminal      justice   dispensation

system. When the most of the factual evidence is admitted

by the defence, now the defence cannot contend that,

accused was innocent and very much cautious and has

taken all precautions to avoid any accident. No such

evidence is brought on record. In a case of present nature,

driver of the offending vehicle would have been the best

witness to speak regarding what made him to drive the

vehicle in such manner. There is no explanation offered by

the accused in his statement recorded under Section 313

of Cr.PC. He has submitted that, he has nothing to say

before the Court while recording the said statement. This

itself goes to establish that, silence on the part of the

accused in not giving explanation gives room to draw

adverse inference against accused. Accordingly, it is

drawn.


     23.     Therefore, I do not find any factual or legal

error in finding the accused guilty of the aforesaid

offences.
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     24.   As   narrated   in    the    foregoing   paragraphs,

accused    relied   upon   two    judgments     i.e.,   Prakash

Chandra Agnihotri      and Surendran supra. In the first

judgment cited supra, it is observed by the Hon'ble Apex

Court the occurrence took place in the year 1972 and

appellant through on bail, he was sentenced to six months

rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.250/-. It is

observed that, in view of the date of occurrence of the

accident, it would be rather harsh to send the accused to

send to jail after 18 years of occurrence. With regard to

the ratio so laid down, there is no dispute as such. With

great respect to the said ratio, the facts of this case are

quite different and this accused was carrying eight

passengers who were all students along with PE Teacher of

the School. They had been to the temple, this accused was

carrying students and PE Teacher by hiring his vehicle and

when he was returning with the said students and PW.1

the Physical Education Teacher in a curve area which was

having a downal road, the said vehicle capsized. The facts
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of this case are different. No doubt the accident has taken

place in the year 2011 and now we are in the year 2025.

Almost 14 years have been lapsed. But, in an offence of

present nature, a minimum sentence has to be imposed.


     25.   So far as second judgment is concerned, it was

a case registered under the provisions of Sections 279,

337 and 338 of IPC and the punishment prescribed for the

said offences is imprisonment or fine. Therefore, the Court

has exercised discretion and imposed fine only. Here the

wording used in Section 304A of IPC is imprisonment and

fine. Therefore, the judgment in Surendran supra relied

upon by the counsel for the accused is not relevant to the

facts of this case.


     26.   With regard to the imposition of sentence for

the offence under Section 304A of IPC is concerned, the

Hon'ble Apex Court in State of Punjab v. Saurabh

Bakshi reported in (2015) 5 SCC 182 has held as under:
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       "23. In the instant case the factum of rash
and negligent driving has been established. This
Court has been constantly noticing the increase in
number of road accidents and has also noticed
how the vehicle drivers have been totally rash
and negligent. It seems to us driving in a
drunken state, in a rash and negligent manner or
driving with youthful adventurous enthusiasm as
if there are no traffic rules or no discipline of law
has come to the centre stage. The protagonists,
as we perceive, have lost all respect for law. A
man with means has, in possibility, graduated
himself to harbour the idea that he can escape
from the substantive sentence by payment of
compensation. Neither the law nor the court that
implements the law should ever get oblivious of
the fact that in such accidents precious lives are
lost or the victims who survive are crippled for
life which, in a way, is worse than death. Such
developing     of     notions        is     a      dangerous
phenomenon in an orderly society. Young age
cannot   be    a    plea    to      be    accepted     in    all
circumstances.      Life    to      the     poor     or      the
impecunious is as worth living for as it is to the
rich and the luxuriously temperamental.
      24.    Needless      to    say,     the    principle    of
sentencing recognises the corrective measures
but there are occasions when the deterrence is
                                - 25 -
                                                    NC: 2025:KHC-D:3659
                                        CRL.RP No. 100207 of 2018




an imperative necessity depending upon the facts
of the case. In our opinion, it is a fit case where
we are constrained to say that the High Court has
been swayed away by the passion of mercy in
applying    the          principle       that       payment         of
compensation        is     a   factor        for    reduction       of
sentence to 24 days. It is absolutely in the realm
of misplaced sympathy. It is, in a way mockery of
justice. Because justice is "the crowning glory",
"the sovereign mistress" and "queen of virtue" as
Cicero had said. Such a crime blights not only the
lives of the victims but of many others around
them. It ultimately shatters the faith of the public
in judicial system. In our view, the sentence of
one year as imposed by the trial Magistrate which
has been affirmed by the appellate court should
be reduced to six months.
      25. Before parting with the case we are
compelled     to     observe            that       India    has      a
disreputable record of road accidents. There is a
nonchalant attitude among the drivers. They feel
that they are the "Emperors of all they survey".
Drunkenness        contributes          to     careless      driving
where the other people become their prey. The
poor feel that their lives are not safe, the
pedestrians think of uncertainty and the civilised
persons     drive        in    constant         fear       but    still
apprehensive about the obnoxious attitude of the
                               - 26 -
                                             NC: 2025:KHC-D:3659
                                       CRL.RP No. 100207 of 2018




      people who project themselves as "larger than
      life". In such obtaining circumstances, we are
      bound to observe that the lawmakers should
      scrutinise, relook and revisit the sentencing policy
      in Section 304-A IPC. We say so with immense
      anguish."


     27.   As stated supra, with regard to offence under

Section 304A of IPC accused is directed to undergo

sentence of one year and also he is sentenced to pay the

fine. So far as other offences are concerned, he is directed

to pay the fine amount and in default, he is directed to

undergo sentence. It is submitted by the counsel for the

accused-petitioner, the accident is of the year 2011. As

per the cause-title, accused was aged 23 years at the time

of accident and he was quite young. This is the only

mitigating circumstances to show any leniency. In view of

the judgment in Saurabh Bhakshi supra, minimum

sentence has to be imposed in an offence of present

nature, instead of one year, looking to the date of

accident, till this date, if some leniency is shown in

modifying the sentence, it would meet the ends of justice.
                                   - 27 -
                                                  NC: 2025:KHC-D:3659
                                           CRL.RP No. 100207 of 2018




From 2011 till this day, the accused petitioner must have

suffered mentally, physically and financially. Therefore, if

the accused is sentenced to undergo minimum sentence of

six months for the offence under Section 304A of IPC, it

would meet the ends of justice. So far as imposition of

sentence for other offences is concerned, it remains

unaltered.


     28.        Accordingly, the aforesaid point is answered in

the negative.


     Resultantly, I pass the following:

                                      ORDER

i. Revision petition is allowed in-part.

ii. Impugned judgment of Conviction and

order of sentence passed by the III Addl.

District and Sessions Judge, Ballari sitting

at Hosapete in Criminal Appeal

No.5033/2016 dated 29.08.2018

punishable for the offences under

- 28 -

NC: 2025:KHC-D:3659

Sections 279, 337, 338 of IPC and

Section 183, 187 and 192A of MV Act is

confirmed so also, conviction under

Section 304A of IPC. However, there

shall be modification of the sentence for

the said offences under Section 304A of

IPC and sentenced to undergo SI for six

months for the said offence.

iii. Sentence so imposed for other offences

remain unaltered.

iv. The accused shall surrender before the

trial Court within fifteen days from today

and shall undergo sentence.

v. Send the operative portion of the

judgment to the trial Court forthwith for

compliance through mail.

- 29 -

NC: 2025:KHC-D:3659

vi. Send back the trial Court records

alongwith a copy of the judgment

forthwith. So also send the copy of the

judgment of the first appellate court for

reference.

vii. The order regarding disposal of the

property remains as it is.

Sd/-

(RAMACHANDRA D. HUDDAR) JUDGE

SK/CT:VG

 
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