It was held by the Supreme Court that under Section 372 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, no appeal can be maintained by the victim on the ground that the sentence was inadequate.
While upholding the judgment given by the Delhi High Court which dismissed the victim’s appeal under Section 372 Cr.PC, it was observed by the Supreme Court bench which consisted of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice R. Subhash Reddy, that such appeal for enhancement of sentence of the accused given by the trial court is not maintainable. In this case, the accused was convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 302,364-A, and 201 of the Indian Penal Code. An appeal was later filed before the High Court by the father of the deceased boy, challenging the order of sentence and also pleading that the sentence be enhanced to death penalty.
Condemning the order of dismissing the appeal which was given by the High Court, it was contended before the Top Court by the victim, that there is no reason to restrict the meaning and ambit of Section 372 CrPC which gives to the victim to prefer and appear if the accused was convicted for a lesser offence. Thus, the victim wanted to widen the ambit of the section by praying before the court that such appeal must also be preferred in case of lesser sentence.
It was observed by the bench, while the provisions under Section 372 CrPC was referred to, that the provisions under the said section is limited to only three eventualities, which are, when the accused is acquitted, when the accused is convicted for a lesser offence and lastly, when inadequate compensations are imposed. The bench further stated,
“When the victim is given the opportunity to prefer an appeal in the event of imposing inadequate compensation, but at the same time there is no provision for appeal by the victim for questioning the order of sentence as inadequate, whereas section 377 Cr.PC gives the power to the state government to prefer appeal for enhancement of sentence.” The court also stated that, “It is fairly well settled that the remedy of appeal is the creature of statute.”
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