Case title: Unknow VS State of Rajasthan
Case no.: S.B. Criminal Appeal No. 483/1993
Dated on: February 19th 2024
Quorum: Hon’ble. MR Justice GANESH RAM MEENA
FACTS OF THE CASE
The present criminal appeal has been preferred by the accused-appellants against the judgment of conviction and sentence dated 26.11.1993 passed by the Court of learned Special Judge, Prevention of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes, Prevention of Atrocities, Jaipur (for short ‘the trial Court’) in Sessions Case No.88/1990. Five years Rigorous Imprisonment and fine of Rs.2,000/- and in default of payment of fine, to undergo 2 months imprisonment. Five years Rigorous Imprisonment and fine of Rs.2,000/- and in default of payment of fine, to undergo 2 months imprisonment. Fine of Rs.100/- each and in default of payment of fine each of the accused appellant has to undergo 15 days imprisonment. On filing of appeal, the sentence awarded to the accused appellants was suspended vide order dated 13.12.1993 and they were released on bail.
ISSUES
- Whether the reformation of the accused-appellants and their peaceful conduct post-bail support the argument that they do not pose a risk to public safety and thus should be granted probation?
- Whether the objections raised by the learned Public Prosecutor, opposing leniency and probation due to the nature and manner of the offense, should preclude the granting of probation to the accused-appellants?
- Whether the prolonged duration of the trial and the resultant mental agony and harassment faced by the accused-appellants since 1993 warrant leniency in sentencing?
- Whether the conviction and sentence of the accused-appellants by the trial court under Sections 307 and 323 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were valid and justified?
- Whether the accused-appellants are entitled to the benefit of probation under Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, considering their age, lack of criminal antecedents, and behaviour post-conviction?
LEGAL PROVISIONS
Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Section 307 IPC: This section pertains to the offense of attempt to murder. It deals with the intention or knowledge of committing murder, and the actions taken in furtherance of that intention. The maximum punishment under this section is imprisonment for up to 10 years, and if the act causes hurt, the punishment can extend to life imprisonment, along with a fine.
Section 323 IPC: This section addresses the punishment for voluntarily causing hurt. The punishment can be imprisonment for up to one year, or a fine up to one thousand rupees, or both.
Section 34 IPC: This section pertains to acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act as if it were done by him alone.
Probation of Offenders Act, 1958
Section 4: This section allows the court to release certain offenders on probation of good conduct instead of sentencing them to imprisonment. The court can use this provision for offenders who have committed offenses not punishable with death or life imprisonment, and if the court deems it appropriate after considering the offender’s age, character, and the circumstances of the case.
CONTENTIONS OF THE APPELLANT
Mr. V.R. Bajwa, Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. Amar Kumar and Ms. Savita Nathawat, appearing for the accused appellants instead of arguing the appeal on its merits with regard to challenge to the conviction and sentence, confines his arguments for grant of benefit of probation to the appellants under the provisions of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act of 1958’). Counsel further submits that except the present case, no case has been registered against the accused-appellants. Counsel further submits that the accused appellants are living peacefully in the society without there being any criminal antecedents to their discredit. Senior Counsel further submits that the accused-appellants have faced trial for about three years and against the impugned judgment, they preferred the appeal in the year, 1993. Thus, from the last 33 years, the accused-appellants are facing mental agony and harassment because of pendency of criminal case registered against them. Counsel further submits that the maximum sentence under Section 307 of IPC is 07 years but in the present case, the accused appellant No.1 Nawal Kishore has been convicted for offence under Section 307 of IPC and accused appellant No.2-Rajesh has been convicted for the offence under section 34 read with section 307 IPC and they been sentenced to undergo five years Rigorous Imprisonment and for the offence under section 323 read with section 34 IPC a fine of Rs.100/- has been imposed upon each of them. Senior Counsel further submits that the accused appellant No.1 is 59 years of age and the accused appellant No.2 is 56 years of age. Thus, taking into consideration the aforesaid facts, the accused-appellants may be given the benefit of probation under the provisions of the Act of 1958.
CONTENTIONS OF THE RESPONDENTS
Learned Public Prosecutor appearing for the State opposed the prayer made by the counsel appearing for the appellants and submits that looking to the allegations and the manner in which the incident took place, the appellants are not entitled for any kind of leniency in awarding sentence as well as the benefit of probation under Section 4 of the Act of 1958. Considered the submissions made by the Senior Counsel appearing for the appellants as well as the learned Public Prosecutor. Learned trial Court while considering the issue of granting leniency to the accused appellants, has rejected their prayer in regard to the leniency. Section 4 of the Act of 1958 nowhere says that the benefit of probation cannot be allowed to an accused who is above 21 years of age. The Act of 1958 deals with the powers of the Court to release certain offenders for good conduct.
COURT’S ANALYSIS AND JUDGEMENT
The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the said Act explains the rationale for the enactment and its amendments: to give the benefit of release of offenders on probation of good conduct instead of sentencing them to imprisonment. Thus, increasing emphasis on the reformation and rehabilitation of offenders as useful and self-reliant members of society without subjecting them to the deleterious effects of jail life is what is sought to be subserved. The main object of sentencing a convicted person is to bring in him certain character reformation and to keep him away from the society so as to see that the impact of his criminal character does not put any adverse impact on any other person. In the present case, after conviction of the accused appellants, their sentence was suspended and they were release on bail vide order dated 13.12.1993. Since after their release on bail, they are living in the society peacefully without there being any criminal antecedents to their discredit. There is no bar under law to extend the benefit of probation to convict of above 21 years age. After taking into due consideration the legislative intent of the Act and the decision as referred in above paragraphs, this Court deems it appropriate to extend the benefit of probation to the appellants under Section 4 of the Act of 1958. the present appeal is partly allowed. While maintaining the conviction of the present appellant No.1- Nawal Kishore for the offence under Section 307 of IPC and of accused appellant No.2-Rajesh for the offence under section 34 read with section 307 IPC and of both the accused appellants under section 323 read with section 34 IPC, as recorded by the learned Trial Court in the impugned judgment, this Court interferes only with the sentence part of the said judgment and directs that the appellants shall be released on probation under Section 4 of the Act of 1958 upon their furnishing a personal bond in a sum of Rs. 50,000/- each and two sureties in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- each to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court with a further undertaking that they shall maintain peace and good behaviour for a period of two years and shall not repeat the offence. The appellants are allowed two months’ time to furnish the bail bonds, sureties and undertaking as ordered above. The appellants are on bail. They need not to surrender. Their bail bonds stand cancelled accordingly. The Registry is directed to send back record of the case to the trial court forthwith.
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Judgement Reviewed by – HARIRAGHAVA JP
