The Supreme Court said that a long offence-free period can justify reducing sentences in minor, non-violent cases. In the 1995 house-breaking matter, the three-month sentence was reduced to the 15 days already undergone.
The Supreme Court ruled that the maximum sentence for an attempt to murder under Section 307 IPC, if life is not lost, is limited to 10 years. The judgment came while hearing an appeal by a man accused of persistently harassing his wife and children. The Court emphasized that sentencing must align with legal provisions and proportionality.
Justice Madan B Lokur in his recent article presents a critical examination of the Indian criminal justice system, emphasizing the notion that “the process is the punishment.” This phrase, originating from a 1979 book about American lower courts, was reiterated by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in July 2022.
