CRR-4753-2016(OM) -1-
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT
CHANDIGARH
CRR-4753-2016(OM)
Date of decision:-3.8.2018
Gurpreet Singh @ Happy
…Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab and another
…Respondents
CORAM: HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE H.S.MADAAN
Present: Mr.P.S. Punia, Advocate
for the petitioner.
Ms.Samina Dhir, DAG, Punjab.
Mr.Sanjeev Kumar, Advocate for
Mr.Jitender Singh Dadwal, Advocate
for respondent No.2.
****
H.S. MADAAN, J.
Accused Gupreet Singh @ Happy along with his father Ajit
Singh, mother Balbir Kaur and brother Harpreet Singh @ Happy were
tried by Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Ludhiana and they were convicted
for the offences under Sections 406/498-A vide judgment dated 3.6.2013
and vide order of the same date, they were sentenced as follows:
Under Section Sentence Awarded
406 IPC Rigorous imprisonment for a period of one
year and to pay a fine of Rs.500/- each and
in default thereof, to further undergo simple
imprisonment for a period of 15 days each.
498-A IPC Rigorous imprisonment for a period of one
year and to pay a fine of Rs.500/- each and
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in default thereof, to further undergo simple
imprisonment for a period of 15 days each.
Both the sentenced were ordered to run concurrently.
On an appeal having been filed by them before Court of
Sessions, which was assigned to learned Additional Sessions Judge,
Ludhiana, vide judgment dated 6.12.2016, the same was dismissed with
regard to Gurpreet Singh, whereas it was allowed with respect to Balbir
Kaur and Ajit and they were acquitted of the charge framed against them.
Accused Gurpreet Singh has preferred the present revision
petition before this Court, notice of which was given to respondents, who
put in appearance through counsel.
During the pendency of the revision petition parties have
compromised the matter. The parties were directed to appear before the
Illaqa Magistrate to get their statements recorded. As per report received
from Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Ludhiana, statements of complainant
Ramneet Kaur and accused Gurpreet Singh @ Happy have been recorded,
vide which they have admitted the compromise. According to the report,
the compromise is genuine and has been effected voluntarily without any
pressure, coercion or undue influence. Statements of Ramneet Kaur and
accused Gurpreet Singh @ Happy have been enclosed in original along
with the report by Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Ludhiana.
I have heard learned counsel for the parties besides going
through the record.
The offence under Section 498-A IPC is non-compoundable,
whereas offence under Section 406 IPC is compoundable by the owner of
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the property in respect of which the breach of trust has been committed.
Learned counsel for the petitioner has referred to authority
Puttaswamy Versus State of Karnataka and Another, 2009(1)
R.C.R.(Criminal) 501 wherein it was observed that non-compoundable
offence cannot be compounded, but sentence may be reduced if the parties
have compromised the matter. In this case the petitioner/accused is shown
to have undergone imprisonment of about four months out of total
sentence of one year. It was basically a matrimonial dispute, as such the
ends of justice would be squarely met if the petitioner is sentenced to
imprisonment already undergone by him, while in custody in the present
case, whereas the part of conviction relating to payment of fine is kept as
intact. Therefore, the impugned judgments are upheld as regards
conviction part qua the petitioner.
However, as far sentence part is concerned, the same is
modified and the petitioner is sentenced to imprisonment already
undergone by him as mentioned supra. Whereas the sentence regarding
payment of fine and in default of making payment of fine remains intact.
As such the revision petition challenging the impugned
judgments stand disposed of with above modification in sentence.
Necessary intimation be sent to the quarter concerned.
3.8.2018 (H.S.MADAAN)
Brij JUDGE
Whether reasoned/speaking : Yes/No
Whether reportable : Yes/No
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