This is an appeal instituted under Sec. 449 of the Cr.P.C. to impugn the order dated 18.9.2014 passed by the Court of Sessions, Kollam, in M.C.No.14/2014 in S.C.No. 97/2013. The appellants herein are the counter petitioners in the impugned proceedings in the court below. That the appellants are sisters of the accused in the above said Sessions Case and they stood sureties for the brother, who is stated to be absconding. The accused after securing bail, with the permission of the court below, had gone abroad for his employment purpose in a Gulf country. Later, he did not appear before the court below as ordered by the court, which led to the impugned proceedings, thereby the court below proceeded against the appellants herein. The court below held that as the appellants are not in a position to produce the accused, who is their brother, they should be mulcted with the liability to pay the amount of Rs. 25,000/- each, which is the bond amount in question. 2. Heard Sri.Alexander George, learned counsel for the appellants and the learned Public Prosecutor.
3. The learned counsel for the appellants would plead that the appellants, who are sisters of the accused, are having only meagre source of income as they are coolie workers and hailing from a very poor family and hence they are not able to pay the huge amount of Rs. 25,000/- each as imposed in the impugned order. It is pointed out that Sec.446(3) Cr.P.C. empowers the court to remit any portion of the penalty or enforce payment any part only. It is further submitted that the accused is in Gulf in connection with his job and he could not return early due to the restrictions imposed in his employment Visa and that his absence is due to the reasons beyond the control of the appellants and that it is learnt that the accused will return back to the country in the month of December 2014, etc.
4. Having regard to the fact that the appellants are having meagre source of income as they are coolie workers and having regard to the fact that the appellants are women, this Court is inclined to take a lenient view in this matter. The learned counsel for the appellants prays that the penalty amount may be reduced to Rs. 5,000/- each. But this plea cannot be allowed. In the facts and circumstances of the case, it is ordered in the interest of justice that the two appellants each shall pay a penalty amount of Rs. 10,000/- (rupees ten thousand only) each. The payment in this regard should be made by the appellants on or before 31.12.2014. In case the appellants do not pay the above said amount within the stipulated time as stated above, then the court below will be at liberty to take recourse to coercive proceedings for realisation of the said amount.
The Crl.Appeal stands finally disposed of with the above directions and observations.
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sdk+ ALEXANDER THOMAS, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.S. to Judge