RASEEN BABU K.M. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner stands convicted by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I, Parappanangadi in C C.Nos. 2058 of 2014 and 2059 of 2014, arising from Crime Nos. 625 of 2014 and 626 of 2014 of the Tirurangadi Police Station. The incident leading to registration of the crimes occurred on 02.06.2014 at about 10.15 a.m, when the accused allegedly obstructed the procession taken out from the Thrikkulam Government High School, Chemmad in connection with the school admission festival and assaulted some of the volunteers. Crime No. 625 of 2014 was registered for offences under Sections 143, 147, 353 read with 149 of the IPC and Section 35 (sic) of the Kerala Prevention of Disturbances of Public Meetings Act, 1961. Crime No.626 of 2014 was registered for the offences under Sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 323, 324 read with 149 of IPC. All accused were convicted by the trial court on their pleading guilty of the offences. Upon conviction, the accused were sentenced to pay fine for each offence. The judgments are challenged mainly on the ground that the procedure adopted by the trial court in finding the accused to have pleaded guilty was patently illegal.

(2.) Heard Sri. D. Anilkumar, learned Counsel for the petitioner and Sri. T.R. Renjith, learned Public Prosecutor.

(3.) Sri.Anilkumar contended that the conviction of an accused based on his plea of guilty results in that person being convicted and punished without trial and hence the Magistrates are bound to ensure that the plea is voluntary, clear and unambiguous and is put forth after understanding the implications of such admission.