Supreme Court Modifies Sentence and Orders Compensation for Rash Driving Conviction.


10 December 2024 Criminal Appeals & Suspension of Sentence >> Criminal Law   |   Rash driving or riding on a public way >> Criminal Law  

In the matter of Muthupandi Vs State Through The Inspector of Police, Nilakottai Station, Dindigul, the appellant in was convicted under Sections 279 (rash driving) and 304(A) (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for an incident that occurred on 09.01.2013, resulting in the death of Karthik and the killing of six cows. The trial court imposed a fine and a one-year simple imprisonment sentence, which was later confirmed by the appellate court. The Madras High Court reduced the sentence to three months of simple imprisonment.

 

 

Upon further review, the appellant offered to pay Rs. 1,00,000 as compensation to the mother of the deceased, which was deposited in the court. The legal representatives of the deceased were impleaded, though no one appeared on their behalf. The Supreme Court, while upholding the conviction, modified the sentence, setting aside the imprisonment and fines. Instead, the court directed the compensation amount along with interest to be paid to the mother of the deceased, in accordance with Section 357(3) of the Cr.P.C. The case will be listed again in February 2025 for a status update.


Section 279., Indian Penal Code - 1860

Section 304A., Indian Penal Code - 1860

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 357., Code of Criminal Procedure - 1973  

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973