Conviction for rash driving upheld; Section 304A imprisonment replaced with a ₹50,000 fine.

On 3 September 2013, a bus driven by the petitioner collided with a motorcycle near Navalur Bridge. The motorcycle’s rider later died from his injuries.

The petitioner was charged under Sections 279, 337 and 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The trial court convicted him and imposed, among other penalties, one year’s simple imprisonment under Section 304A; the Sessions Court dismissed his appeal and affirmed the conviction and sentence.

In revision, the petitioner challenged the concurrent findings, including on the grounds that witnesses had not established negligent driving.

Whether the concurrent judgments of conviction and sentence suffered from illegality, perversity or other infirmity warranting interference in revision.

Whether the one-year sentence of imprisonment under Section 304A IPC should be modified to a fine.

The Court considered Sections 279, 337 and 304A IPC, under which the petitioner had been convicted.

Section 304A permits imprisonment of either description for up to two years, a fine, or both.

Exercising revisional jurisdiction under Section 397 CrPC, the Court considered whether the concurrent findings disclosed illegality, perversity or another infirmity requiring interference.

The Court found that the pillion rider (PW4), an eyewitness, testified that the bus approached at high speed and struck the motorcycle; the courts below had accepted this evidence and found that the petitioner’s rash and negligent driving caused the accident.

The motor-vehicle inspection disclosed no mechanical defects in either vehicle.

The Court held that the evidence had been properly assessed and found no basis to disturb the concurrent findings of guilt.

However, given the sentencing discretion under Section 304A and the petitioner’s submission, it considered a fine an appropriate modification in place of the one-year custodial sentence.

The sentences under Sections 279 and 337 IPC were maintained, and the petitioner was directed to deposit the total fine of ₹51,500 by 30 October 2026.