SURENDRAN Vs. PREMAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner has suffered a conviction for the offence under S.138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Disposing of the revision filed by him challenging his conviction and sentence, he was directed to undergo imprisonment till the rising of the court and to pay a compensation of Rs.50,000/- to the complainant within two months, failing which, to undergo simple imprisonment for 3 months. The time limit for deposit having expired by this time, the petitioner has filed the above petition seeking one month's time for tendering the compensation ordered by this Court.

(2.) Notice was given to the Public Prosecutor.

(3.) From the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, it appears, the petition was moved entertaining an apprehension that if there is delay in making deposit after the time granted by this Court, the petitioner has necessarily to undergo the imprisonment imposed as default clause. I do not find any merit in the apprehension raised by the counsel. Compensation awarded under S.357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure has to be realised treating it as akin to fine, following the procedure under S.421 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Irrespective of the period fixed for payment, the petitioner can approach the court below and tender the compensation fixed and avoid the punishment of imprisonment imposed. Separate proceeding, if any, has been taken by the court below for forfeiture of the bond under S .446 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, has necessarily to be dealt with in accordance with law.