APART FROM JAIL THE ACCUSED HAS TO PAY COMPENSATION TO VICTIM: SUPREME COURT

On the plea of victim to enhance the sentence granted to accused the bench of Justice Dave of Supreme Court has directed the accused to pay compensation of Rs. 300000/- to the victim who had suffered multiple injuries at the hands of accused involved in several FIRs.

            The order came after hearing the plea of Balkar Singh resident of village Khurana in Kaithal district, through his counsel Pardeep Rapria. In fact, five accused namely Surender alias Kala, Manoj, Tarshem, Raghbir, Randhir brutally involved in several FIRs had attacked Balkar Singh with deadly weapons, iron road/chains and sharp-edged weapons. The Judicial Magistrate Kaithal found accused guilty for the commission of offense punishable under sections 323, 324, 325, 326 and 506 and awarded Rigorous Imprisonment for a period of three years and fine of Rs. 4,000/ in total. The appeal of the accused was also dismissed by Sessions Judge, Kaithal. However, High Court reduced the sentence to the period of 6 months; already undergone before getting bail.

            Shocked by the reduction of sentence by HC, the victim Balkar challenged the order before Supreme Court through his Advocate Pardeep Rapria. Petitioner’s counsel vehemently prayed that the court has to see that appropriate sentence is imposed regard being had to the commission of the crime and its impact on the social order. The cry of the collective for justice which includes adequate punishment cannot be lightly ignored and therefore he prayed before the court to restore the faith of poor villagers in justice. Victim of the crime prayed for enhancement of sentence to accused. The bench headed by justice Dave after hearing the plea of Mr. Rapria directed the accused to pay compensation of Rs. 3,00000/- within one month to the victim who had suffered injury and loss due to the crime committed by the accused.