Labh Singh v. State Of Punjab

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH CRA-S-2426-SB-2008 (O&M) Date of decision: 07.05.2025 Labh Singh ....Appellant

Versus

State of Punjab ....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARPREET SINGH BRAR

Present:

Ms. Nisha, Advocate (Amicus Curiae) for the appellant.

Mr. Rishabh Singla, AAG, Punjab.

HARPREET SINGH BRAR J. (Oral) 1.

The prayer in the present appeal is to set-aside the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 05.12.2008 passed by learned Judge, Special Court, Mansa whereby the appellant was convicted and sentenced for the offence punishable under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter 'the NDPS Act'), in the case stemming from FIR No.34 dated 18.02.2004 registered under Section 15 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Bhikhi.

2.

The appellant was found in possession 35 kgs of Poppy Husk, for which he was convicted and sentenced as follows: Offence Sentence Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Rigorous imprisonment for a period of 01 year and to pay fine of Rs.1,000/- and in default of payment of fine, to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for 03 months.

3.

Learned amicus curiae contends that the appellant along with Gulab Singh and Keema Singh were illegally picked up by the police from their house and had been falsely implicated in three different cases, just to show the recovery of Poppy Husk and this fact has been duly proved by producing the FIR as Exs.DA and DB, however, the learned trial Court has failed to appreciate this fact. Further, the independent witness, who was joined by the investigating officer resides in a village, which is 22 Kms away from the place of recovery, however, no independent witness was joined from the locality. Furthermore, the Form-29 has not been filled on the spot. Lastly, she submits that the appellant has already undergone a period of 01 month and 09 days.

4.

Per contra, learned State counsel opposes the prayer of the appellant on the ground that the learned Court below has passed a wellreasoned judgment based on correct appreciation of evidence available on record as such, the appellant does not deserve any leniency. 5.

Having heard learned counsel for the parties and after perusing the record with their able assistance, it transpires that the appellant was convicted for being in possession of 35 kgs of Poppy Husk, i.e. intermediate quantity, attracting the offence of Section 15 of the NDPS Act, for which no minimum punishment has been prescribed. As per custody certificate, the appellant has already undergone an actual sentence of 01 month and 09 days out of total sentence of 01 year, in the instant case. Since there is no minimum punishment prescribed under

Section 15 of the NDPS Act, this Court is of the opinion that it would be in the interest of justice, if the sentence awarded to the appellant is reduced to the period already undergone by him. 6.

In Deo Narain Mandal Vs. State of UP, (2004) 7 SCC 257, a three-Judge Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court has opined that awarding of sentence is not a mere formality in criminal cases. When a minimum and maximum term is prescribed by the statute with regard to the period of sentence, a discretionary element is vested in the Court. Background of each case, which includes factors like gravity of the offence, the manner, in which the offence is committed, age of the accused, should be considered, while determining the quantum of sentence and this discretion is not to be used arbitrarily or whimsically. After assessing all relevant factors, proper sentence should be awarded bearing in mind the principle of proportionality to ensure the sentence is neither excessively harsh nor does it come across as lenient. 7.

Further, a two-Judge Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Ravada Sasikala Vs. State of AP, AIR 2017 SC 1166, has reiterated that the imposition of sentence also serves a social purpose, as it acts as a deterrent by making the accused realise the damage caused not only to the victim, but also to the society at large. The law in this regard is well settled that opportunities of reformation must be granted and such discretion is to be exercised by evaluating all attending circumstances of each case by noticing the nature of the crime, the manner, in which the crime was committed and conduct of the accused to strike a balance

between the efficacy of law and the chances of reformation of the accused.

8.

A perusal of the judgment of conviction passed by the learned trial Court indicates no perversity in its findings and the same is based on correct appreciation of evidence available on record. However, the FIR (supra) in the present case was registered on 18.02.2004 and the appellant has been suffering the agony of trial since the last more than 21 years. Since his conviction, the appellant has grown into a lawabiding citizen and desires to live a peaceful life. 9.

Consequently, the present appeal is disposed of in the following terms:- (i) The judgment of conviction dated 05.12.2008 passed by the learned Judge, Special Court, Mansa is upheld. (ii) The order of sentence dated 05.12.2008 is modified to the extent that the sentence of rigorous imprisonment for a period of 01 year and fine along with default mechanism awarded to the appellant is reduced to the period of sentence already undergone by him.

10.

The High Court Legal Services Authority is directed to pay remuneration to learned Amicus Curiae as per rules. 11.

All the pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of.

(HARPREET SINGH BRAR) JUDGE 07.05.2025 yakub Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No