IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Criminal Revision No. 2757 of 2009 Date of decision : November 26, 2009 Malkiat Singh alias Gulu ....Petitioner versus State of Punjab ....Respondent Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice L.N. Mittal Present : Mr. JBS Gill, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. Gaurav Garg Dhuriwala, AAG Punjab L.N. Mittal, J. (Oral) This is revision petition by Malkiat Singh alias Gulu impugning his conviction and sentence recorded by the courts below. Learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Dasuya vide judgment and order dated 11.8.2005 convicted the petitioner under section 61(1(a) of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914 and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year and to pay fine of Rs 1000/- for possession of 176 bottles of illicit liquor in four cans. Appeal preferred by the petitioner stands dismissed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Hoshiarpur vide judgment dated 14.9.2009. Hence, the instant revision petition. Notice of motion in the revision petition was issued regarding quantum of sentence only. Criminal Revision No. 2757 of 2009 -2- I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case file. Learned counsel for the petitioner vehemently contended that the liquor was seized from the petitioner on 15.9.2002 i.e. seven years ago and the petitioner has undergone the agony of trial for this long period. Accordingly, prayer has been made for reduction in sentence. It was also contended that minimum sentence of imprisonment for the offence is imprisonment for six months. On the other hand, learned State counsel contended that illicit liquor was recovered from the petitioner and therefore, reduction in sentence is not warranted. I have carefully considered the rival contentions. Keeping in view all the circumstances including the fact that the recovery was effected more than seven years ago, I am of the considered view that ends of justice would be met if the sentence of imprisonment is reduced from imprisonment for one year to imprisonment for six months. It is ordered accordingly. With reduction in sentence as aforesaid, the instant revision petition stands disposed of accordingly. ( L.N. Mittal ) November 26, 2009 Judge 'dalbir'