NON-REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.209 OF 2016
[Arising out of S.L.P.(Crl.)No.1671 of 2016]
Pareshbhai Annabhai Sonvane…..Appellant
Versus
State of Gujarat & Ors. …..Respondents
J U D G M E N T
SHIVA KIRTI SINGH, J.
The sole appellant was accused no.2 before the Sessions Judge, Surat in
Sessions Case No.278/2008 along with three other co-accused for offences
under Sections 395, 397 and 504 of the IPC. The trial court found
sufficient evidence against accused nos.1 to 3 and accordingly convicted
them for the offence under Section 395 of the IPC while holding that
prosecution could not establish the other charges. Considering that the
value of the alleged loot including cash and mobile was only Rs.16,550/-
and the young age of the accused, the trial court inflicted rigorous
imprisonment of only one year along with fine of Rs.100/-. In the trial
court judgment dated 24.08.2011 the age of the appellant has been recorded
as 24 years and as such on the date of the alleged occurrence in July 2008
he would be about 21-22 years of age.
The State of Gujarat opted to prefer Criminal Appeal No.1463 of 2011 under
Section 377 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to seek enhancement of
sentence imposed on the three convicts including the appellant. By the
impugned judgment and order under appeal dated 21.09.2015 the High Court
came to the view that the trial court had rightly convicted the accused but
had erred in imposing a sentence of imprisonment which was clearly on the
lower side. The High Court allowed the appeal to the extent of enhancing
the sentence to five years of rigorous imprisonment along with the fine
imposed by the trial court.
After hearing the arguments of both the sides we are not persuaded to
interfere with the conviction of the appellant under Section 395 IPC and
hence his conviction is affirmed. However, for the same very reasons as
recorded by the trial court and finding that nothing was recovered from
him, we are persuaded to reduce the sentence of imprisonment. We have been
informed on the basis of facts mentioned in the Surrender Certificate dated
19.02.2016 available on record that the appellant has now remained in jail
for three years and two months on account of continuous incarceration since
his surrender on 28.07.2008. The certificate further discloses that fine
of Rs.100/- has also been paid. In the facts of the case and considering
the period already undergone by the appellant, we reduce the period of
sentence imposed upon the appellant to the period already undergone, i.e.,
three years and two months of actual imprisonment. In case he is not
required to be kept in prison in connection with any other matter, he
should be released in the present matter forthwith. The appeal is allowed
to the aforesaid extent only.
.…………………………………….J. [DIPAK MISRA]
……………………………………..J. [SHIVA KIRTI SINGH]
New Delhi.
March 18, 2016.
See Also: Case Brief