IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Criminal Revision No. 2267 of 2003 Date of decision: 26th May, 2009 [ENTITY] Petitioner Versus [ENTITY] Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE [ENTITY] Present: Mr. [ENTITY], Advocate with Mr. [ENTITY], Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. [ENTITY], Assistant Advocate General, Haryana for the State. [ENTITY], J. (ORAL)
[ENTITY] son of [ENTITY] has filed present revision petition. Government Food Inspector has instituted a complaint under [SECTION](1)
(a)(i) read with section 7 of the [ACT] (hereinafter referred to as, 'the Act') against the petitioner.
Mr. [ENTITY], District Food Inspector, on 3rd February, 1993, along with Dr. [ENTITY], Chief Medical Officer, [ENTITY] and [ENTITY] witness inspected the flour and oil mill of the petitioner. Petitioner was found in possession of 150 kg of mustered oil in a drum for public sale. Food Inspector served notice, Ex.PA and purchased 450 gm of mustered oil. In accordance with the provisions of the Act and Rules, sample was drawn and same was sent to the Public Analyst. The Public Analyst found that the sample was not in consonance with the standard laid in the Act, thus, the mustered oil was held to be adulterated.
Prosecution led pre-charge evidence and thereafter, examined witnesses to prove the guilt of the petitioner. The Court of Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, [ENTITY] found petitioner guilty of offence under [SECTION] of the Act and sentenced the petitioner to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months and to pay fine of Rs.1000/-. Aggrieved against the same, petitioner had filed an appeal. The same was dismissed.
Mr. [ENTITY] appearing for the petitioner at the outset has stated that he will not be in a position to contest his conviction because two courts below have returned findings of the fact and he has not been able to point out any illegality, irregularity and perversity in the judgments. In alternate, he has prayed that in the present case, occurrence has taken place in February, 1993. A period of 15 years is going to elapse. Petitioner has already suffered a protracted trial and he has undergone about 14 days of his actual sentence and that sentence may be reduced to already undergone taking into consideration the fact that in the last 15 years he has been in the corridors of the Court and much misery has been inflicted upon him. He has relied upon a single Bench judgment of this Court in [PRECEDENT] through [PRECEDENT], wherein it was held as under:
"6. Learned counsel for the petitioner, however, further contends that the occurrence in this case pertains to the year 1984, to be precise, February 17, 1984 and a period of 16 years has already gone by. Petitioner has already suffered the agony of protracted trial, spanning over a period of one and half decades. Petitioner was 40 years of age at the time of occurrence and further that he was already undergone sentence for a period of 25 days. For the contention that petitioner should be dealt with leniently in these circumstances his counsel relies upon Manoj Kumar v. [ENTITY], 1998(1) RCR 563. Learned State counsel has, of course, been able to defend this case on merits but practically has nothing to say insofar as reduction of sentence imposed upon the petitioner is concerned.
7. In totality of the facts and circumstances of this case, the Court is of the view that ends of justice would be met if sentence imposed upon the petitioner is reduced to the one already undergone by him. So ordered. Order of payment of fine and so also consequences in default thereof are, however, maintained. Learned counsel for the petitioner informs the Court that fine has already been paid."
He has also placed reliance upon another single Bench judgment [ENTITY] vs. [ENTITY], 1995(XXII) Criminal Law Times (482), which reads as under:
"9. Now, it is well settled that the right to speedy and expeditious trial is one of the most valuable and cherished rights guaranteed under the [ACT]. Fundamental rights are not a teasing illusion to be mocked at. These are meant to be enforced and made a reality. Fair, just and reasonable procedure implicit in [SECTION] of the [ACT] creates a right in the accused to be tried speedily. Right to speedy trial is the right of the accused. The fact that a speedy trial is also in public interest or that it serves the social interest also, does not make it any-the-less right of the accused. Right to speedy trial flowing from [SECTION] encompasses all the stages, namely the stage of investigation, inquiry, trial, appeal, revision and retrial. This is how the courts shall understand this right; and have gone to the extent of quashing the prosecution after such inordinate delay in concluding the trial of an accused keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case. Keeping a person in suspended animation for 8 years or more without any case at all cannot be with the spirit of the procedure established by law. It is correct that although minimum sentence to be imposed upon a convict is prescribed by the statute yet keeping in view the provisions of [SECTION] of the [ACT] and the interpretation thereof qua the right of an accused to a speedy trial, judicial compassion can play a role and a convict can be compensated for the mental agony which he undergoes on account of protracted trial due to the fault of the prosecution by this Court in the exercise of its extra-ordinary jurisdiction.
10. An identical question had arisen before the apex Court in [ENTITY]'s case (supra), wherein their lordship were pleased to observe as under:
'Coming to the question of sentence, we find that the appellant had been acquitted by the trial Court and High Court while reversing the judgment of acquittal made by the appellate Judge has not made clear reference to clause (f). The occurrence took place about more than 8 years back. Records show that the appellant has already suffered a part of the imprisonment. We do not find any useful purpose would be served in sending the appellant to jail at this point of time for undergoing the remaining period of the sentence, though ordinarily in an anti-social offence punishable under the [ACT] the Court should take strict view of such matter.' This view was followed by this Court in Nand Lal v. [ENTITY], and [ENTITY]'s case (supra). The present case is fully covered by the view expressed by the apex Court and by this Court in the judgments cited above and I have no reason to differ therewith.
11. For the reasons mentioned above, the conviction of the petitioner for an offence under [SECTION] read with [SECTION] of the Act is hereby maintained. However, keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case and the fact that the petitioner has already faced the agony of the protracted prosecution and suffered mental harassment for a long period of eight years, his sentence is reduced to the period of sentence already undergone.
Sentence of fine is, however maintained along with its default clause."
He has further brought to my notice a judgment by another Single Bench of this Court in Mahabir vs. [ENTITY], 1997(3) RCC (469), wherein following view was taken:
"The facts indicate that incident pertains to more than 14 years ago. The short question that thus arises for consideration is as to whether it would be appropriate to direct the petitioner to undergo the rest of the sentence. There is no over-emphasizing the fact that speedy trial which is the essence of justice has been lost. A reference of some of the precedents in this regard would make the position clear. In the case of [PRECEDENT] had expired before the revision petition was decided. Keeping in view the inordinate delay, the sentence was reduced to the one already undergone. The same question again was considered by this Court in the case of [PRECEDENT]. Therein the sample had been taken in the year 1984. 9 years had expired by the time the revision petition was heard. Once again the sentence was reduced to the one already undergone. The view point of the Delhi High Court is the same in the case of [PRECEDENT]. When the revision came up for hearing, 7 years had expired. Learned Single Judge of the said Court reduced the sentence to the one already undergone. Before the Madhya Pradesh High Court in the case of [PRECEDENT], the same view prevailed.
8. All these decisions are based in the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of [ENTITY] vs. State of Himachal Pradesh, AIR 1988 SC 1789. Threin the accused had been convicted for selling masur whole. The accused had been acquitted by the trial Court, but High Court held him guilty. 8 years were lost. Part of the sentence had been undergone. The Supreme Court reduced the sentence to the one already undergone.
9. The position in the present case is not different. As already noted above, 14 long years have expired, when the sample was taken. The petitioner has already undergone a part of the sentence. In these circumstances, it will not be in the ends of justice that petitioner again to undergo the rest of the sentence. Consequently, the sentence must be reduced to the one already undergone.
10. For these reasons, revision petition fails and is dismissed, but the sentence is reduced to the one already undergone."
Again, reliance has been placed upon a judgment of this Court in [PRECEDENT], wherein it has been held as under:
"8. The last submission made in this regard was pertaining to the sentence. It was argued that incident pertains to the year 1980 and the petitioner is facing the agony of a prolonged trial and thereafter appeal and the revision, 16 years have elapsed. The decision in the case of [PRECEDENT] had set the law into motion. The scope of [SECTION] was extended and it was held that expeditious disposal of the cases was an integral and essential part of the fundamental right to life and liberty. In paragraph 5 it was held:
'Now obviously procedure prescribed by law for depriving a person of his liberty cannot be 'reasonable, fair and just' unless that procedure ensures a speedy trial for determination of the guilt of such person. No procedure which does not ensure a reasonably quick trial can be regarded as 'reasonable, fair or just' and it would fall foul of [SECTION]. There can, therefore, be no doubt that speedy trial and by speedy trial, is an integral and essential part of the fundamental right to life and liberty enshrined in [SECTION].' The same question was considered by a Bench of the Patna High Court in [PRECEDENT]. It was concluded that the word 'trial' would bring within its sweep, the appeal that would be pending against such an order. In paragraph 17 the Court had held:
'Therefore, there seems to be no option, but to hold that the word 'trial' in the context of the constitutional guarantee of a speedy trial includes within its sweep a substantive appeal provided by the Code to the High Court - whether against conviction or against acquittal. Thus, it would follow that the constitutional right of speedy trial envisaged an equally expeditious conclusion of a substantive appeal and not merely a technical completion of the proceedings in the original Court alone.' Subsequently, the Full Bench of Patna High Court in [PRECEDENT] reiterated the same view and in paragraph 11 it was held:
'If [SECTION] and the right to speedy public trial is not merely a twinkling star in the high heavens to be worshipped and rendered vociferous lip-service only but in deed is an actually meaningful protective provision, then a fortiori expeditious hearing of substantive appeals against convictions is fairly and squarely within the mandate of the said Article.'
9. Reverting back to the fact of the present case as already mentioned above, the incident pertains to a period of more than 16 years ago. The petitioner had already undergone nearly 2 months of the sentence. As pointed out above, fair, just and reasonable procedure is implicit in [SECTION] of the [ACT]. After such a prolonged period, though the petition is without merit, it would be inappropriate to insist that petitioner can well be sent to undergo the rest of the sentence. It would be unfair. [SECTION] of the [ACT] would bring within its sweep, not only expeditious trial but disposal of appeals and revisions. The fairness to the accused petitioner, therefore, demands in the peculiar facts of this case that giving predominance to the said article, the sentence should be reduced to the one already undergone. Order is made accordingly."
In [PRECEDENT], a single Judge of this Court also reiterated the same view and held as under:
"5. [SECTION] of the [ACT] provides that the person found guilty of the offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to three years and with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees. The proviso further provides that in cases covered by Clauses (i) and (ii) to Section 15 (1) of the Act, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgement, the Court may impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to two years and with fine which shall not be less than five hundred rupees. Fair, just and reasonable procedure implicit in [SECTION] of the [ACT], creates a right in the accused to be tried speedily. It is now well settled that the right to speedy and expeditious trial is one of the most valuable and cherished rights guaranteed under the [ACT]. Right to speedy trial following from [SECTION] encompasses all the stages, namely the stage of investigation, inquiry, trial, appeal, revision and retrial.
6. In Chander Bhan V. [ENTITY], 1996(1) Recent Criminal Reports 125, it has been held by this Court as under:-
" It is correct that although minimum sentence to be imposed upon a convict is prescribed by the statute yet keeping in view the provisions of [SECTION] of the [ACT] and the interpretation thereof qua the right of an accused to a speedy trial, judicial compassion can play a role and a convict can be compensated for the mental agony which he undergoes on account of a protracted trial due to the fault of the prosecution by this Court in the exercise of its extra-ordinary jurisdiction."
7. In [PRECEDENT], the Apex Court held as under:-
"Though adulteration of an article of food is a serious anti-social offence which must be visited with exemplary punishment, it will be rather harsh to pass a sentence of imprisonment in the facts and circumstances of the instant case. Under [SECTION] as in force at the material time, the Court had the discretion for special and adequate reasons under proviso to [SECTION] not to pass a sentence of imprisonment. In the instant case, the accused is a man aged 75 years. The offence was committed more than 11 years ago. The order of acquittal was based on the decision of the High Court. The samples were taken from sealed tins. These are mitigating circumstances. Accordingly, instead of passing a substantive sentence of imprisonment, the accused could be sentenced to period already undergo and directed to pay a fine."
8. In [ENTITY] v. State of Himachal Pradesh, 1988 (4) SCC 130, the Supreme Court held as under:-
"Coming to the question of sentence, we find that the appellant had been acquitted by the trial Court and the High Court while reversing the judgement of acquittal made by the appellate Judge has not made clear reference to clauses (f). The occurrence took place about more than 8 years back. Records show that the appellant has already suffered a part of the imprisonment. We do not find any useful purpose would be served in sending the appellant to jail at this point of time for undergoing period of the sentence, though ordinarily in an anti-social offence punishable under the [ACT], the court should take strict view of such matter.
While dismissing the appeal, we would, however, limit the sentence of imprisonment to be period already undergone and sustain the fine along with the default sentence."
9. All the three cases cited above were under the [ACT].
10. The mitigating circumstance in this case is that the petitioner is undergoing the agony of this protracted trial for the last more than 15 years and he can be compensated suitably by reducing the substance sentence imposed upon by him to the one already undergone by him.
11. For the fore-going reasons I reduce the substantive sentence of the petitioner to the one already undergone by him. However, the sentence of fine shall remain unaltered."
Same view has been reiterated in Chander Bhan v. [ENTITY] 1996(1) Recent Criminal Reports 125; Sat Pal vs. [ENTITY] 1998(1) RCR (Criminal) 75; Ram Kishan vs. [ENTITY] 2000(1) RCR (Criminal) 196; [PRECEDENT] and [PRECEDENT], relevant portion of which reads as under:
"19. However, keeping in view the fact that the petitioner was 50 years of age at the time of recording of his statement under [SECTION] of the [ACT] and he would be, by now, fairly advanced in the age, as also the fact that he has faced the agony of criminal proceedings for the last more than 16-1/2 years, I am of the opinion that the sentence awarded to him deserves to be reduced to that of fine. For this view, I draw support from a judgment of the Supreme Court in [PRECEDENT] and also from the judgments of Allahabad High Court in [PRECEDENT] and of this Court in [PRECEDENT]."
Since in the present case, petitioner has suffered a protracted trial of 15 years and has undergone about 14 days, I find that petitioner is also entitled to the benefit of the consistent view taken by this Court. Therefore, sentence of the petitioner is reduced to already undergone. However, sentence of fine is enhanced to Rs.10000/-. The same shall be deposited within a period of three months from today.
Non deposit of fine by the petitioner shall render the present revision petition as dismissed.
[[ENTITY]] JUDGE May 26, 2009 rps