This Revision Petition is filed challenging the concurrent findings of conviction entered and the sentence imposed on the revision petitioner for the offence punishable under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (for short, 'the N.I. Act') in Criminal Appeal No.182/13 on the files of the court of the I Additional Sessions Judge, Kottayam. The above appeal was filed challenging the judgment finding that the revision petitioner is guilty of the said offence, passed in S.T.No.5/13 on the files of the Judicial First Class Magistrate's Court-II, Ettumanoor. According to the impugned judgment, the sentence of simple imprisonment for three months imposed on the revision petitioner by the trial court was set aside and the revision petitioner was sentenced only to pay a fine of Rs.50,000/- and in default of payment of fine to undergo simple imprisonment for one month.
2. The learned counsel for the revision petitioner reiterated the contentions which were raised before the courts below and got rejected concurrently. The learned counsel urged for a re-appreciation of evidence once again, which is not permissible under the revisional jurisdiction unless any kind of perversity is found in the appreciation of evidence. The revision petitioner failed to point out any kind of perversity in the appreciation of evidence. The courts below had concurrently found that the complainant/1st respondent had successfully discharged initial burden of proving execution and issuance of the cheque; whereas the revision petitioner had failed to rebut the presumption under Section 118(a) and 139 of the N.I. Act which stood in favour of the 1st respondent. So also, it is found that the debt due to the 1st respondent was a legally enforceable debt and Ext.P1 cheque was duly executed and issued in discharge of the said debt. I do not find any kind of illegality or impropriety in the said findings or perversity in appreciation of evidence, from which the above findings had been arrived at. Therefore, I am not inclined to re-appreciate entire evidence once again and I confirm the concurrent findings of conviction.
3. The learned counsel for the revision petitioner submits that challenge under this Revision is confined to sentence only.
According to him, the sentence imposed on the revision petitioner is disproportionate with the gravity and nature of the offence. He urged for converting the direction to pay fine to compensation payable directly to the complainant. He further submits that the revision petitioner is willing to pay the fine as ordered by the court below; but he is unable to raise the said amount forthwith due to paucity of funds. But he is ready to pay the fine within six months.
4. The Supreme Court, in the decision in Kaushalya Devi Massand Vs. Roopkishore (AIR 2011 SC 2566), held that the offence under Section 138 of the N.I. Act is almost in the nature of civil wrong which has been given criminal overtone, and imposition of fine payable as compensation is sufficient to meet the ends of justice. Further, in Vijayan Vs. Baby (2011(4) KLT 355), Supreme Court held that the direction to pay the compensation by way of restitution in regard to the loss on account of the dishonour of the cheque should be practical and realistic. So, in a prosecution under Section 138 of the N.I. Act, the compensatory aspect of remedy should be given much priority over punitive aspect.
5. Having regard to the nature and gravity of the offence under Section 138 of the N.I. Act, in the light of the decisions quoted above and the submission made at the Bar, I am of the opinion that the direction to pay fine can be converted to compensation payable directly to the complainant and I do so. The revision petitioner is given four months time to pay the compensation. Consequently, this Revision Petition is liable to be disposed of subject to the following terms:
i. The revision petitioner shall pay a compensation of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty thousand only) to the 1st respondent/complainant within a period of four months from today.
ii. The revision petitioner shall appear before the Trial Court on or before 2-2-2015 with sufficient proof to show payment of compensation.
iii. In default, the revision petitioner shall undergo simple imprisonment for a period of one month.
The Criminal Revision Petition is disposed of accordingly.
Sd/-
(K.HARILAL, JUDGE)
okb.