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2024 DIGILAW 88 (RAJ)

Ashok Kumar v. State of Rajasthan

2024-01-12

MANOJ KUMAR GARG

body2024
JUDGMENT : Manoj Kumar Garg, J. 1. By way of filing the instant Criminal Revision Petition under Section 397/401 of Cr.P.C., challenge has been made to the judgment dated 21.03.2003 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Sangaria in Criminal Appeal No. 2/2002 (30/A/97), whereby the learned appellate court affirmed the judgment dated 05.08.1997 passed by the learned Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sangaria in Criminal Case No. 325/1992 convicting the petitioner for the offence under Section 7/16 of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and sentencing him to undergo one year's rigorous imprisonment alongwith a fine of Rs. 1000/- and in default of payment of fine, to further undergo one month's R.I. 2. Bereft of elaborate details, facts relevant and essential for disposal of the instant criminal revision are that on 22.07.1989 Food Inspector Chiranjilal took samples of red chili powder from the shop of the petitioner. After following due procedure, the samples were sent for examination and the same were found to be adulterated. 3. The Learned Magistrate framed the charge against the petitioner for the offence under Section 7/16 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and upon denial of guilt by him, commenced the trial. During the course of trial, the prosecution in order to prove the offence, examined the witnesses and exhibited various documents. The accused, upon being confronted with the prosecution allegations, in his statement under Section 313 CrPC, denied the allegations and claimed to be innocent. Then, after hearing the learned Public Prosecutor and the learned Defence Counsel and upon meticulous appreciation of the evidence, learned trial court convicted and sentenced the petitioner for the offence under Section 7/16 of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act vide judgment dated 05.08.1997. Aggrieved by the judgment of conviction, he preferred an appeal, which was dismissed by the learned appellate court vide judgment dated 21.03.2003. Hence, this revision petition is filed before this court. 4. After arguing the case on merits to some extent, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that he will not assail conviction of the petitioner and confines his arguments to the alternative prayer of reduction of the sentence awarded by the trial court. He submits that the incident in the present case pertains to the year 1989. The petitioner was 25 years of age at that time. He was not having any criminal antecedents and it was the first criminal case registered against him. He submits that the incident in the present case pertains to the year 1989. The petitioner was 25 years of age at that time. He was not having any criminal antecedents and it was the first criminal case registered against him. No adverse remark has been passed over his conduct except the impugned judgment. The petitioner has already suffered agony of protracted trial of 37 years. The petitioner has remained in custody for a period of twelve days out of total sentence of one year's S.I. With these submissions, learned counsel prays that by taking a lenient view, the sentence awarded to the petitioner may be reduced to the period already undergone. 5. Learned public prosecutor has, of course, been able to defend the case on merits. However, he does not refute the fact that the petitioner is an old aged person. It was the first criminal case registered against him and he had no criminal antecedents as well as the fact that he has remained behind the bars for some time after passing of the judgment in appeal. 6. Since the revision petition against conviction is not pressed and after perusing the material, nothing is noticed which requires interference in the finding of guilt reached by learned trial court and affirmed by the appellate court, this court does not wish to interfere in the judgment of conviction. Accordingly, the judgment of conviction is maintained. 7. As far as the question of quantum of sentence in concerned, it is worthwhile to note that the case pertains to the year 1989 and much time has gone by since then. The petitioner was aged 25 years at that time and at present he is around 60 years of age. The trial took 7 years to culminate and it took further 6 years in decision of the appeal. Thereafter, this appeal is pending before this court for last 21 years. The right to speedy and expeditious trial is one of the most valuable and cherished rights guaranteed under the Constitution. The petitioner has already suffered the agony of protracted trial, spanning over a period of more than 37 years and has been in the corridors of the court for this prolonged period. It was the first criminal case registered against him. He has not been shown to be indulged in any other criminal case except this one. The petitioner has already suffered the agony of protracted trial, spanning over a period of more than 37 years and has been in the corridors of the court for this prolonged period. It was the first criminal case registered against him. He has not been shown to be indulged in any other criminal case except this one. He remained incarcerated for a period of twelve days out of total sentence of one year's S.I. In view of the facts noted above, the case of the petitioner deserves to be dealt with leniency. The petitioner also deserves the benefit of the consistent view taken by this court in this regard. Thus, guided by the judicial pronouncements made by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the cases of Haripada Das v. State of West Bangal, reported in (1998) 9 SCC 678 and Alister Anthony Pareira v. State of Maharashtra reported in 2012 (2) SCC 648 and considering the facts and circumstances of the case, age of petitioner, his criminal antecedents, his status in the society and the fact that he faced financial hardship and had to go through mental agony, this court is of the view that ends of justice would be met, if sentence imposed upon the petitioner is reduced to the period already undergone by him. 8. Accordingly, the judgment of conviction dated 05.08.1997 passed by the learned Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sangaria in Criminal Case No. 325/1992 as well as the judgment in appeal dated 21.03.2003 passed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Sangaria in Criminal appeal No. 2/2002 (30/A/97) are affirmed but the quantum of sentence awarded to the petitioner for the offence under Section 7/16 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, is modified to the extent that the sentence, he has undergone till date, would be sufficient and justifiable to serve the interest of justice. The fine imposed by the trial court is hereby waived. The petitioner is on bail. He need not surrender. His bail bonds are discharged. 9. The revision petition is allowed in part. Pending applications, if any, shall stand disposed of. 10. Record be sent back.