Santokh @ Sokhi Vs State of Punjab

The prayer in the present appeal is to set aside the judgment of conviction and order on quantum of sentence dated 06.09.2008 passed by learned Judge, Special Court, Nawanshahr whereby the appellant was convicted and sentenced for the offence punishable under Section 15 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter to be referred as ‘NDPS Act’) in the case stemming from FIR No. 230 dated 05.08.2005 registered at Police Station Banga, Nawanshahr.

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The appellant was sentenced for keeping in his possession 2

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kilogram 250 grams of poppy husk, as mentioned below:

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Offence	Sentence	Fine	Sentence in default of
under Section			payment of fine
15 of NDPS	Rigorous imprisonment	Rs.	Rigorous imprisonment
Act	for 06 months	1,000/-	for 01 month

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Learned Counsel for the appellant submits that he is not assailing

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the impugned judgment of conviction dated 06.09.2008 passed by learned Judge, Special Court, Nawanshahr on merits and restricts his prayer to modification of the order on quantum of sentence dated 06.09.2008 to that of AJAY GOSWAMI 2025.05.27 14:21 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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CRA-S-1687-SB-2008 (O&M) 2

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sentence already undergone by the appellant, as he has already undergone a period of 02 months and 02 days out of total sentence of 06 months imposed upon him.

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Per contra, learned State counsel opposes the prayer of the appellant on the ground that learned trial Court has passed a well-reasoned judgment based on correct appreciation of evidence available on record and the appellant is also involved in other cases as well, as such, he does not deserve any leniency. 5. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and after perusing the record with their able assistance, it transpires that the appellant was convicted for being in possession of 02 kilograms 250 grams of poppy husk, attracting the offence under Section 15 of NDPS Act, for which no minimum punishment has been prescribed. As per his custody certificate, he is not involved in any other case and has already undergone a period of 02 months and 02 days out of total sentence of 06 months imposed upon him. Moreover, learned counsel for the appellant has not assailed the judgment of conviction on merits. Rather, he has restricted his prayer only qua modification of order on quantum of sentence. Since there is no minimum punishment prescribed under Section 15 of NDPS Act, this Court is of the opinion that it would be in the interest of justice, if the sentence awarded to the appellant is reduced to the period already undergone by him.

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In Deo Narain Mandal v. State of UP (2004) 7 SCC 257 , a three Judge bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court has opined that awarding of sentence is not a mere formality in criminal cases. When a minimum and maximum term is prescribed by the statute with regard to the period of sentence, a discretionary element is vested in the Court. Background of each case, which includes factors

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AJAY GOSWAMI2025.05.27 14:21 like gravity of the offence, manner in which the offence is committed, age of the I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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CRA-S-1687-SB-2008 (O&M) 3

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accused, should be considered while determining the quantum of sentence and ther discretion is not to be used arbitrarily or whimsically. After assessing all relevant factors, proper sentence should be awarded bearing in mind the principle of proportionality to ensure the sentence is neither excessively harsh nor does it come across as lenient.

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Further, a two Judge Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Ravada Sasikala v. State of AP AIR 2017 SC 1166 , has reiterated that the imposition of sentence also serves a social purpose as it acts as a deterrent by making the accused realise the damage caused not only to the victim but also to the society at large. The law in their regard is well settled that opportunities of reformation must be granted and such discretion is to be exercised by evaluating all attending circumstances of each case by noticing the nature of the crime, the manner in which the crime was committed and the conduct of the accused to strike a balance between the efficacy of law and the chances of reformation of the accused.

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Further, the primary consideration in matters where the petitioner/appellant is involved in other NDPS cases ought to be the severity of the offence. Moreover, Co-ordinate benches of this Court have deemed it appropriate to reduce the sentence imposed upon the accused to be the custody already undergone by them, in spite of their involvement in other cases pertaining to the NDPS Act in Pritam Singh @ Preeti vs. State of Punjab in CRA-S-1769-SB-2010 decided on 03.04.2025, Ram Lal vs. State of Haryana in CRA-S-986-SB-2005 decided on 11.05.2018 , Raj Pal vs. State of Haryana in CRA-S-68-SB-2005 decided on 28.04.2023, Raj Pal vs. State of Haryana in CRA-S-34-SB-2005 decided on 28.04.2023 and Gurmail Singh and others vs. State of Punjab in CRA-S-1976-

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SB-2007 decided on 28.03.2025

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AJAY GOSWAMI 2025.05.27 14:21 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

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CRA-S-1687-SB-2008 (O&M) 4

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A perusal of the judgment of conviction passed by the learned trial Court indicates no perversity in its findings and the said judgment is based on correct appreciation of evidence available on record. However, the FIR (supra) was lodged on 05.08.2005 and the appellant has been suffering the agony of trial for last more than 19 years. Since his conviction, he has grown into a lawabiding citizen and desires to live a peaceful life.

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Therefore, in view of the discussion above, the present appeal is disposed of in the following terms:-

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(i) The judgment dated 06.09.2008 passed by the learned

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Judge, Special Court, Nawanshahr is upheld.

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(ii) The order of sentence dated 06.09.2008 is modified to the extent that the sentence of rigorous imprisonment for 06 months along with fine of Rs.1,000/- with default mechanism awarded to the appellant is reduced to the period of sentence already undergone by him.

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Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stand

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disposed of.

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(HARPREET SINGH BRAR) JUDGE

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26.05.2025

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Ajay Goswami Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No

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AJAY GOSWAMI 2025.05.27 14:21 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

Santokh @ Sokhi v. State of Punjab

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Santokh @ Sokhi v. State of Punjab

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