Shyam Pal Singh and Others Vs State of U.P.

Heard Mr. Santosh Kumar Shukla, learned Counsel for the appellant No.1, Ms. Babita, learned Amicus Curiae for appellant no.4 and learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the record.

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This appeal has been preferred against the judgment and order of conviction dated 06.09.1985 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Mainpuri in Session Trial No. 52 of 1985, under Section 324 read with Section 34 I.P.C., whereby the accused-appellants were convicted and sentenced for a period of two years of rigorous imprisonment for the aforesaid offence.The appellants were granted bail by this Court vide order dated 17.09.1985.

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This appeal against appellant no.2 Satendra and appellant no.3 Ram Baboo has already been abated on 28.11.2025.

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Learned Counsel for the appellants have submitted that they are not inclined to argue the case on merits and will seek the benefit of probation as the appellants have been convicted for the offence under Section 324 I.P.C., for which learned A.G.A. has no objection.

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Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act reads as follows:

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"4. Power of court to release certain offenders on probation of good conduct.- (1) When any person is found guilty of having committed an offence not punishable with death or imprisonment for life and the court by which the person is found guilty is of opinion that, having regard to the circumstances of the case including the nature of the offence and the character of the offender, it is expedient to release him on probation of good conduct, then, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the court may, instead of sentencing him at once to any

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punishment direct that he be released on his entering into a bond, with or without sureties, to appear and receive sentence when called upon during such period, not exceeding three years, as the court may direct, and in the meantime to keep the peace and be of good behaviour:

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Provided that the court shall not direct such release of an offender unless it is satisfied that the offender or his surety, if any, has a fixed place of abode or regular occupation in the place over which the court exercises jurisdiction or in which the offender is likely to live during the period for which he enters into the bond.

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(2) Before making any order under sub-section (1), the court shall take into consideration the report, if any, of the probation officer concerned in relation to the case.

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(3) When an order under sub-section (1) is made, the court may, if it is of opinion that in the interests of the offender and of the public it is expedient so to do, in addition pass a supervision order directing that the offender shall remain under the supervision of a probation officer named in the order during such period, not being less than one year, as may be specified therein, and may in such supervision order, impose such conditions as it deems necessary for the due supervision of the offender. (4) The court making a supervision order under sub-section (3) shall require the offender, before he is released, to enter into a bond, with or without sureties, to observe the conditions specified in such order and such additional conditions with respect to residence, abstention from intoxicants or any other matter as the court may, having regard to the particular circumstances, consider fit to impose for preventing a repetition of the same offence or a commission of other offences by the offender.

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(5) The court making a supervision order under sub-section (3) shall explain to the offender the terms and conditions of the order and shall forthwith furnish one copy of the supervision order to each of the offenders, the sureties, if any, and the probation officer concerned."

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A similar provision finds place in the Code of Criminal Procedure. There, Section 360 provides:

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"360. Order to release on probation of good conduct or after admonition:

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(1) When any person not under twenty- one years of age is convicted of an offence punishable with fine only or with imprisonment for a term of seven years or less, or when any person under twenty- one years of age or any woman is- convicted of an offence not punishable with death or imprisonment for life, and no previous conviction is proved against the offender, if it appears to the Court before which he is convicted, regard being had to the age, character or antecedents of the offender, and to the

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circumstances in which the offence was committed, that it is expedient that the offender should be released on probation of good conduct, the Court may, instead of sentencing him at once to any punishment, direct that he be released on his entering into a bond with or without sureties, to appear and receive sentence when called upon during such period (not exceeding three years) as the Court may direct and in the meantime to keep the peace and be of good behaviour:

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Provided that where any first offender is convicted by a Magistrate of the second class not specially empowered by the High Court, and the Magistrate is of opinion that the powers conferred by this section should be exercised, he shall record his opinion to that effect, and submit the proceedings to a Magistrate of the first class, forwarding the accused to, or taking bail for his appearance before, such Magistrate, who shall dispose of the case in the manner provided by sub- section (2).

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(2) Where proceedings are submitted to a Magistrate of the first class as provided by sub- section (1), such Magistrate may thereupon pass such sentence or make such order as he might have passed or made if the case had originally been heard by him, and, if he thinks further inquiry or additional evidence on any point to be necessary, he may make such inquiry or take such evidence himself or direct such inquiry or evidence to be made or taken.

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(3) In any case in which a person is convicted of theft, theft in a building, dishonest misappropriation cheating or any offence under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860 ), punishable with not more than two years' imprisonment or any offence punishable with fine only and no previous conviction is proved against him, the Court before which he is so convicted may, if it thinks fit, having regard to the age, character, antecedents or physical or mental condition of the offender and to the trivial nature of the offence or any extenuating circumstances under which the offence was committed, instead of sentencing him to any punishment, release him after due admonition. (4) An order under this section may be made by any Appellate Court or by the High Court or Court of Session when exercising its powers of revision.

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(5) When an order has been made under this section in respect of any offender, the High Court or Court of Session may, on appeal when there is a right of appeal to such Court, or when exercising its powers of revision, set aside such order, and in lieu thereof pass sentence on such offender according to law:

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Provided that the High Court or Court of Session shall not under this sub- section inflict a greater punishment than might have been inflicted by the Court by which the offender was convicted.

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(6) The provisions of sections 121, 124 and 373 shall, so far as may be, apply in the

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case of sureties offered in pursuance of the provisions of this section.

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(7) The Court, before directing the release of an offender under sub- section (1), shall be satisfied that an offender or his surety (if any) has a fixed place of abode or regular occupation in the place for which the Court acts or in which the offender is likely to live during the period named for the observance of the conditions.

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(8) If the Court which convicted the offender, or a Court which could have dealt with the offender in respect of his original offence, is satisfied that the offender has failed to observe any of the conditions of his recognizance, it may issue a warrant for his apprehension.

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(9) An offender, when apprehended on any such warrant, shall be brought forthwith before the Court issuing the warrant, and such Court may either remand him in custody until the case is heard or admit him to bail with sufficient surety conditioned on his appearing for sentence and such Court may, after hearing the case, pass sentence.

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(10) Nothing in this section shall affect the provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (20 of 1958), or the Children Act, 1960 (60 of 1960 ), or any other law for the time being in force for the treatment, training or rehabilitation of youthful offenders."

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Again, Section 361 reads as below:

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"361. Special reasons to be recorded in certain cases.- Where in any case the Court

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could have dealt with-

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(a) an accused persons under section 360 or under the provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (20 of 1958), or

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(b) a youthful offender under the Children Act, 1960 (60 of 1960), or any other law for the time being in force for the treatment, training or rehabilitation of youthful offenders, but has not done so, it shall record in its judgment the special reasons for not having done so."

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These statutory provisions very emphatically lay down the reformatory and correctional object of sentencing and obligates the Trial Court as well as Appellate Courts to give benefit of probation in fit cases as provided under law. It becomes more relevant and important in our system of administration of justice where trial is often concluded after a long time and by the time decision assumes finality, the very purpose of sentencing looses its efficacy as with the passage of time the penological and social priorities change and there remains no need to inflict punishment of imprisonment, particularly when the offence involved is not serious and there is no criminal antecedent

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of the accused person.The facts and given circumstances in each case, the nature of the crime, the manner in which it was planned and committed, the motive for commission of the crime, the conduct of the accused, the nature of weapons used and all other attending circumstances are relevant facts which would enter into the area of consideration. It is, therefore, the duty of every Court to award proper sentence having regard to the nature of the offence and the manner in which it was executed or committed.

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In the instant case, the appellants was only convicted for the offence under Section 324 I.P.C., for which the appellants were sentenced for the maximum period of two years. The occurrence relates to the year 1985 and this appeal is pending since 1983 and, therefore, no purpose of justice will be served if the appellants are sent to jail to undergo the terms of sentence after lapse of such long time.

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Considering the fact that the appellants have been convicted only under Section 324 I.P.C., I find it to be a fit case in which the benefit of probation may be given. The reason being that there is no criminal history alleged against the appellants and they belong to a very humble village background. The Probation of Offenders Act as well as Sections 360 and 361 of Cr.P.C. makes it mandatory on the part of the Trial Court to state reason for not extending the benefit of probation in a case relating to an offence which is punishable for less than 7 years imprisonment. Accordingly, the impugned judgment of conviction and order of sentence recorded by the Trial Court under Section 324 I.P.C. is upheld.

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However, instead of sending the appellant no.1 Shyam Pal Singh and appellant no.4 Raj Pal to jail, they shall get the benefit of Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act. Consequently, appellant no.1 Shyam Pal Singh and appellant no.4 Raj Pal shall file a personal bond of Rs. 25,000/- each and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Court concerned to the effect that they shall not commit any offence and shall observe good behaviour and shall maintain peace during the period of one year. If there is breach of any of the conditions, they will subject themselves to undergo sentence. The bonds and sureties aforesaid be filed by the accused persons within one month from the date of the Judgment as per law and Rules.

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With the above modification, the appeal is accordingly disposed of finally.

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Office is directed to send the certified copy of this judgment along with Trial Court record to the Court concerned or information and necessary action.

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This Court appreciates the assistance rendered by Ms. Babita, amicus curiae. The High Court Legal Services Committee may kindly consider the payment of Rs. 15,000/- as remuneration to Ms. Babita, who represented the appellant no.4 as amicus curiae before this Court.

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(Chawan Prakash,J.)

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April 16, 2026 Vijay

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Digitally signed by :- VIJAY KUMAR SAHU High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

Shyam Pal Singh and Others v. State of U.P.

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Shyam Pal Singh and Others v. State of U.P.

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