Order
1. Leave granted. Heard the learned counsel for the appellant as well as for the respondent State.
2. On 9-4-2012 SLP (Cri) CRLMPs Nos. 8607-08 of 2012, this Court issued notice confining to the question of sentence only and that too for clarifying that all the sentences are to run concurrently.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the appellant has brought to our notice that the trial Judge has convicted and sentenced the appellant in the following order:
(i) The accused Ramesh Chilwal alias Bambayya is convicted in Case Crime No. 580 of 2004, Special Sessions Triable Case No. 28 of 2005 under Section 302 IPC and sentence of the rigorous imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs 1,00,000 (Rupees one lakh). In default for the payment of fine, he shall also serve a simple imprisonment for a period of six months. Out of this rupees one lakh, Rs 50,000 (Rupees fifty thousand) is awarded as compensation to the family of the deceased.
(ii) The accused Ramesh Chilwal alias Bambayya is convicted in Case Crime No. 580 of 2004, Special Sessions Triable Case No. 28 of 2005 under Sections 2/3[3(1)], Gangsters Act and sentence for the rigorous imprisonment of 10 (ten) years and a fine of Rs 50,000 (Rupees fifty thousand). In default for the payment of fine, he shall also serve a simple imprisonment for a period of four months. Out of this Rs 50,000 (Rupees fifty thousand), rupees twenty-five thousand is awarded as compensation to the family of the deceased.
(iii) Accused Ramesh Chilwal alias Bambayya is convicted in Case Crime No. 737 of 2004, Sessions Triable Case No. 118 of 2005 under Section 27 of the Arms Act and sentence for the rigorous imprisonment of 7 (seven) years and a fine of Rs 25,000 (Rupees twenty-five thousand). In default for the payment of fine, he shall also serve a simple imprisonment for a period of four months. Out of this Rs 25,000, half of the amount is awarded as compensation to the family of the deceased.”
By the impugned order Criminal Appeal No. 15 of 2006, the said conviction and sentences were confirmed by the High Court.
4. Since this Court issued notice only to clarify the sentence awarded by the trial Judge, there is no need to go into all the factual details. We are not inclined to modify the sentence. However, considering the fact that the trial Judge has awarded life sentence for an offence under Section 302, in view of Section 31 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, we make it clear that all the sentences imposed under IPC, the Gangsters Act and the Arms Act are to run concurrently.
5. While confirming the conviction, we clarify that all the sentences are to run concurrently. To this extent, the judgment of the trial court as affirmed by the High Court is modified. The appeals are disposed of accordingly.