REPORTABLE

  IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 571    OF 2009 (Arising out of SLP(Cr) No. 348/2008)

Kaliben Rabari ...Appellant(s)

Versus

State of Gujarat & Ors. ...Respondent(s)

J U D G M E N T

Dr. Arijit Pasayat, J.

Leave granted.

The only question of importance which is raised by the learned  

counsel  for  the  appellant  is  that  the  High  Court  while  reducing  the

sentence  from  10  years  to  two  and  half  years  in  respect  of  offence  

punishable under Sec. 304 Part I to 304 Part II of the Indian Penal Code,  

1860 (in short the IPC) also reduced compensation from Rs.5 lakhs to Rs.  

3 lakhs.  Learned counsel for the appellant submitted that there was no  

basis  for  such  reduction   after  the  custodial  period  was  substantially  

reduced.  The High Court in fact refused to extend the benefits of the  

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Probation  of  Offenders  Act  1958  (in  short  the  Probation  Act)  to  the

accused persons.  By applying the parameters of Sec.357 of the Code of  

Criminal Procedure, 1973,(in short the `Code'),  the trial Court had fixed  

the  quantum of  compensation  of  Rs.5  lakhs.  Learned  counsel  for  the  

accused respondent supported the judgment of the High Court.

We find that in a case of this nature where the High Court has  

altered  conviction  from Section  304  Part  I  to  304  Part  II  IPC and  has  

considerably  reduced  the  period  of  custodial  sentence,  there  was  no  

basis for reducing the compensation as awarded, i.e. Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 3  

lakhs.  No reason has been indicated to justify the reduction. Accordingly,  

we enhance the quantum of compensation to Rs. 5 lakhs.  The balance of  

amount, if any, required to be deposited shall be so done within a period  

of four weeks from today.

The appeal is disposed of.

                        ................  .J.               (Dr. ARIJIT PASAYAT)

                        ...................J.

                                       (ASOK KUMAR GANGULY) New Delhi, March 27, 2009.