Patna High Court CR. APP (SJ) No.171 of 1998 (04) dt.05-12-2011 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Criminal Appeal (SJ) No.171 of 1998 ====================================================== Satendra Kumar S/O of Satyadeo Singh, resident of village Murarpur, P.S. Hilsa, Distt. Nalanda. .... .... Appellant/s Versus State Of Bihar .... .... Respondent/s CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MANDHATA SINGH ORAL ORDER (Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MANDHATA SINGH) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 04 05-12-2011 This appeal is being filed on behalf of the appellant against the judgment and order of conviction under Section 7 of the E.C. Act in G.R. Case No.09 of 1994 (Tr. No.99 of 1998) passed by Sri Surendra Kumar Singh, Special Judge (E.C.Act), Nalanda vide judgment dated 22.4.1998 by which the appellant has been sentenced to undergo R.I. for two years and also a fine of Rs.2,000/- failing which R.I. for six months for the offence under Section 7 of the E.C. Act. Heard learned counsel for the appellant and learned counsel for the State. Allegedly 1900 liters of kerosene oil was found stored by this appellant in his premises without authority finding the same beyond storage limit, accusation was leveled against this appellant for offence under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act. Patna High Court CR. APP (SJ) No.171 of 1998 (04) dt.05-12-2011 Without considering the merit and conclusion reached by the trial Court the counsel for the appellant draws attention of this Court that in such petty nature of offences, appellant remained in custody for sufficient time and faced trial since 1994 for a period of more than 17 years so, a liberal view may be taken on the point of sentence. I agree with the learned counsel on the point. So, the appeal is partly allowed on the point of sentence only and that is minimized to the minimum period of three months making it clear that the period undergone shall be counted for the total period of three months. Bail bonds furnished by this appellant shall be cancelled. He is directed to surrender to serve the rest of the period of sentence. Conviction is affirmed. VIKASH (Mandhata Singh, J)