- (1.) Leave granted.
(2.) These two appeals can be disposed of by a common judgment as they arise out of the same facts and challenge the same judgment and order dated 15/12/2011 of the Madras High Court. Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No.2299 of 2012 is filed by accused R. Mohan ('the accused' for convenience) and Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No.3327 of 2012 is filed by complainant A.K. Vijaya Kumar ('the complainant' for convenience).
(3.) The accused was tried by the Vth Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, Chennai for an offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (for short, "the said Act") and, by order dated 16/4/2004 he was sentenced to undergo 3 months simple imprisonment and to pay compensation of Rs.5 lakhs to the complainant under Section 357(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Code (for short, "the Code"), in default, to undergo two months simple imprisonment. In appeal, the IIIrd Additional Fast Track District & Sessions Judge, Chennai confirmed the conviction and sentence. In revision, the High Court confirmed the order of conviction and sentence of three months simple imprisonment and to pay compensation of Rs.5 lakhs, however, the High Court was of opinion that no separate sentence could be awarded in default of payment of compensation when substantive sentence of imprisonment is independently awarded. The High Court, therefore, set aside the sentence in default of payment of compensation. Being aggrieved by the said order of conviction and sentence, the accused has approached this court by way of Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No.2299 of 2012. The complainant has filed Special Leave Petition No.3327 of 2012 being aggrieved by the order of the High Court to the extent it sets aside the order of sentence in default of payment of compensation.;