High Court · 2025

Judgment

1. Heard Shri Abhishek Dixit, learned counsel for the appellants, Shri Vinay Kumar Shahi, learned A.G.A. for the State of U.P. and perused the record.

2. The instant Criminal Appeal under Section 374 (2) Cr.P.C. has been filed by the appellants namely Ramesh S/o Shri Ram Bharose Pandit, Dhunnu S/o Ram Bharose Pandit, Nanhu S/o Shri Prem Pandit, Rajan S/o Shri Kamlesh and Bhanu S/o Shri Kamlesh all residents of Village- Jamuniha, Police Station - Atrauli, District - Hardoi challenging the judgment and order 19.06.2009 passed by Special Judge, SC/ST (P.A.) Act/F.T.C. Court No.6, Hardoi in Session Trial No.468/2004, arising out of Case Crime No.104/2003, under Sections 147, 149, 323, 504 I.P.C. and Section 3 (1) (x) SC/ST Act, Police Station - Atrauli, District - Hardoi, thereby, convicting and sentencing the appellants under Section 147 IPC for One Year's imprisonment; under Section 323 IPC for Six Months' imprisonment; under Section 504 IPC for One Year's Simple Imprisonment; and under Section 3(1)(x) SC/ST Act for Two Years' Simple Imprisonment alongwith fine of Rs.200/- each and in case of default in depositing the amount of fine Two Months' simple imprisonment. All the sentences are to run concurrently.

3. The case of the prosecution, as appears from the record, in nutshell, is to the effect that at about 12.00 hours on 24.04.2003 the daughter of the informant's brother, namely Kumari Sushila Devi aged about 09 years was returning to her home after attending the school at Madupara. While on the way to her house from School she was assaulted with kicks and fists 2 by the residents of the same vicinity namely Ramesh, Dhunnu, Naresh, Mool Chandra, Kamlesh, Prem, Lali and Nanhu. This incident occurred in front of the house of Pandit Ram Bharose and on the hue and cry of the injured Sushila her mother Sundara reached at the spot to save the injured, who was also assaulted with fists and kicks and when the informant reached the place of incident, he was also abused and assaulted with Danda. In the incident the injuries were sustained by Kumari Sushila,

Smt. Sundara and the informant namely Bhagwandas.

4. Based upon the written report (Ext.Ka-1), the F.I.R. (Ext.Ka-4) was lodged on 25.04.2003 at about 14.15 hours (at 2.15 P.M.) as Case Crime No.104/2003, under Sections 147, 149, 323, 504 I.P.C. and Section 3 (1 (x) of SC/ST Act. After registration of the F.I.R., the injured persons were medically examined at P.H.C. Bharawan by Dr. T.H. Rizvi.

5. The Investigating Officer (in short I.O.), on the basis of the F.I.R., started investigation and prepared the site plan (Ext.Ka.-2), and after collecting sufficient evidence, submitted the charge sheet (Ext.Ka.-3) in the court concerned.

6. After submission of the charge sheet, learned Magistrate took cognizance and thereafter the said case was committed to the Court of Session where it was registered as S.T. No.468 of 2004 and charges were framed against the accused persons under Sections 147, 323/149, 504 IPC and Section 3 (1) (x) of SC/ST Act, to which they denied and claimed trial.

7. In order to substantiate its case, the prosecution examined as many as six witnesses, namely, Smt. Chotu (PW-1), injured, complainant- Bhagwan Das (PW-2), Deputy S.P. Girijesh Kumar (PW-3), who proved the story of prosecution, injured-Kumari Sushila Devi (PW-4), Dr. T.H. Rizvi (PW-5) and injured-Smt. Sundara (PW-6).

8. That after closing of the evidence, statements of accused/appellants under section 313 Cr.P.C. were recorded by the trial court, after explaining the entire evidence and other circumstances, in which the appellants 3 denied the prosecution story and the entire prosecution story was said to be wrong and concocted.

9. Thereafter, the learned trial court after hearing learned counsel for both the parties and appreciating the entire evidence, oral as well as documentary, found the accused-appellants guilty and convicted them as above.

10. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order of conviction, the appellants have preferred the present appeal.

11. Learned counsel for the appellants submits that the accused- appellants have not been convicted previously for any offence and they are the first time offender. The learned counsel at the outset submits that he is not challenging the impugned judgment and order of conviction and is confining his submission in the appeal only with respect to the order of conviction and sentence for the offence under SC/ST Act for the reason that the same is not made out.

12. Learned counsel for accused-appellants submits that in view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, including the fact that the accused- appellants have not been convicted previously for any offence, the trial court ought to have invoked the provisions of The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (hereinafter referred to as 'Act, 1958'), after acquitting the appellants for the offence under Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act.

13. The Trial Court did neither invoke the provisions of the Act, 1958 nor the provisions of Section 360 Cr.P.C. while sentencing the accused- appellants. The Trial Court has not given any special reason in the impugned judgment and order of conviction and sentence for not giving the benefit of provisions of Section 360 Cr.P.C. or the provisions of Act,

14. Learned counsel for the accused-appellants submits that to that extent, the impugned judgment and order suffers from serious illegality being violative of provisions of section 361 Cr.P.C. and, therefore, it cannot be sustained. 4

15. Section 361 of the Code is required to be applied with or without the beneficial provisions i.e. Section 360 of the Code or provisions of the Act, 1958. If the Court chooses not to apply either of these provisions, it is required to give special reasons for not applying the beneficial provision in case the accused offender otherwise is eligible for provisions of Section 360 of the Code or Section 3 or 4 of the Act, 1958.

16. The accused-appellants have statutory right for claiming the benefit of beneficial legislation i.e. the provisions of the Act, 1958 and the learned Trial Court was under a duty to consider the applicability of Section 360 Cr.P.C. or Sections 3 or 4 of the Act, 1958 as mandated under Section 361 Cr.P.C. If the provisions of Section 360 Cr.P.C. or provisions of the Act, 1958 were not applied, then the learned Trial Court should have recorded reasons for the same.

17. Learned counsel for the appellants submitted that the State of Uttar Pradesh has its own local law of probation i.e. Uttar Pradesh First Offenders Probation Act, 1938. He further submitted that the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (Central Act) is also applicable in the State of Uttar Pradesh as held by Hon'ble the Supreme Court in the case of Mohd. Hashim Vs. State of U.P.; (2017) 2 SCC 198. Thus, learned counsel for the appellants submitted that it is upon the discretion of the Court to grant benefits in either of the Acts.

18. Learned counsel for the appellants further submitted that he does not want to press the appeal on merits. He has submitted that the incident took place 22 years ago and there is no further criminal antecedent of the appellants. The delay in trial deprives the right of the appellants of speedy trial and they may be given benefit of first offender and appellants may be extended the benefit of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (hereinafter referred as the ‘Act of 1958’). He further submitted that appellants are first time offenders and are not previously convicted in any case. He further submitted that it is the Court which may consider the benefit of Section 4 of the Act of 1958 to the accused-appellants. 5

19. Learned A.G.A., on the other hand, opposed the appeal and has submitted that there is no material irregularity or illegality committed by the court below and keeping in view the evidence on record, accused- appellants have been rightly convicted.

20. Learned A.G.A. appearing for the State does not dispute the fact that accused-appellants are the first time offender and were not previously convicted in any other case. He also submits that in view of the expressed provisions of Section 361 Cr.P.C., considering the facts and circumstances, nature of the offence, the character of the accused- appellants and particularly, the time period which has lapsed since the date of incident, the benefit of Section 4 of the Act, 1958 can be granted in this case.

21. Learned A.G.A. further states that the benefit of Section 4 of the Act of 1958 could be extended to the accused-appellants on certain stipulations as specified in Section 4 of the Act of 1958.

22. After considering the arguments advanced by the parties and after perusal of the material available on record, this Court finds that except apart the merits of the case, so far as the prayer of learned counsel for the appellants for providing benefits of Section 4 of the Act of 1958 is concerned, it is essential to discuss the legal position and law propounded in this regard.

23. Sections 3 and 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 are extracted hereunder :- "3. Power of court to release certain offenders after admonition.- "Where any person is found guilty of having committed an offence punishable under Section 379 or Section 380 or Section 381 or Section 404 or Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860) or any offence punishable with imprisonment for not more than two years, or with fine, or with both, under the Indian Penal code, or any other law, and no previous conviction is proved against him 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 so to do, then, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Court may, 6 instead of sentencing him to any punishment or releasing him on probation of good conduct under section 4 release him after due admonition. Explanation.-For the purposes of this Section, previous conviction against a person shall include any previous order made against him under this Section or Section 4.

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 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: 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."

24. That Hon'ble Supreme Court in Ratan Lal vs State of Punjab, AIR 1965 SC 444, while discussing the purpose and object of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, has observed in para no. 4, as follows:- "4. The Act is a milestone in the progress of the modern liberal trend of reform in the field of penology. It is the result of the recognition of the doctrine that the object of criminal law is more to reform the individual offender than to punish him. Broadly stated the Act distinguishes offenders below 21 years of age and those above that age, and offenders who are guilty of having committed an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life and those who are guilty of a lesser offence. While in the case of offenders who are above the age of 21 years, absolute discretion is given to the court to release them after admonition or on probation of good conduct, subject to the condition laid down in the appropriate provision of the Act, in the case of offenders below the age of 21 years an injunction is issued to the court not to sentence them to imprisonment unless it is satisfied that having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the nature of the offence and the character of the offenders, it is not desirable to deal with them under Ss. 3 and 4 of the Act." 7

25. Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ved Prakash vs

Smt. Sundara and the informant namely Bhagwandas.

4. Based upon the written report (Ext.Ka-1), the F.I.R. (Ext.Ka-4) was lodged on 25.04.2003 at about 14.15 hours (at 2.15 P.M.) as Case Crime No.104/2003, under Sections 147, 149, 323, 504 I.P.C. and Section 3 (1 (x) of SC/ST Act. After registration of the F.I.R., the injured persons were medically examined at P.H.C. Bharawan by Dr. T.H. Rizvi.

5. The Investigating Officer (in short I.O.), on the basis of the F.I.R., started investigation and prepared the site plan (Ext.Ka.-2), and after collecting sufficient evidence, submitted the charge sheet (Ext.Ka.-3) in the court concerned.

6. After submission of the charge sheet, learned Magistrate took cognizance and thereafter the said case was committed to the Court of Session where it was registered as S.T. No.468 of 2004 and charges were framed against the accused persons under Sections 147, 323/149, 504 IPC and Section 3 (1) (x) of SC/ST Act, to which they denied and claimed trial.

7. In order to substantiate its case, the prosecution examined as many as six witnesses, namely, Smt. Chotu (PW-1), injured, complainant- Bhagwan Das (PW-2), Deputy S.P. Girijesh Kumar (PW-3), who proved the story of prosecution, injured-Kumari Sushila Devi (PW-4), Dr. T.H. Rizvi (PW-5) and injured-Smt. Sundara (PW-6).

8. That after closing of the evidence, statements of accused/appellants under section 313 Cr.P.C. were recorded by the trial court, after explaining the entire evidence and other circumstances, in which the appellants 3 denied the prosecution story and the entire prosecution story was said to be wrong and concocted.

9. Thereafter, the learned trial court after hearing learned counsel for both the parties and appreciating the entire evidence, oral as well as documentary, found the accused-appellants guilty and convicted them as above.

10. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order of conviction, the appellants have preferred the present appeal.

11. Learned counsel for the appellants submits that the accused- appellants have not been convicted previously for any offence and they are the first time offender. The learned counsel at the outset submits that he is not challenging the impugned judgment and order of conviction and is confining his submission in the appeal only with respect to the order of conviction and sentence for the offence under SC/ST Act for the reason that the same is not made out.

12. Learned counsel for accused-appellants submits that in view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, including the fact that the accused- appellants have not been convicted previously for any offence, the trial court ought to have invoked the provisions of The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (hereinafter referred to as 'Act, 1958'), after acquitting the appellants for the offence under Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act.

13. The Trial Court did neither invoke the provisions of the Act, 1958 nor the provisions of Section 360 Cr.P.C. while sentencing the accused- appellants. The Trial Court has not given any special reason in the impugned judgment and order of conviction and sentence for not giving the benefit of provisions of Section 360 Cr.P.C. or the provisions of Act,

14. Learned counsel for the accused-appellants submits that to that extent, the impugned judgment and order suffers from serious illegality being violative of provisions of section 361 Cr.P.C. and, therefore, it cannot be sustained. 4

15. Section 361 of the Code is required to be applied with or without the beneficial provisions i.e. Section 360 of the Code or provisions of the Act, 1958. If the Court chooses not to apply either of these provisions, it is required to give special reasons for not applying the beneficial provision in case the accused offender otherwise is eligible for provisions of Section 360 of the Code or Section 3 or 4 of the Act, 1958.

16. The accused-appellants have statutory right for claiming the benefit of beneficial legislation i.e. the provisions of the Act, 1958 and the learned Trial Court was under a duty to consider the applicability of Section 360 Cr.P.C. or Sections 3 or 4 of the Act, 1958 as mandated under Section 361 Cr.P.C. If the provisions of Section 360 Cr.P.C. or provisions of the Act, 1958 were not applied, then the learned Trial Court should have recorded reasons for the same.

17. Learned counsel for the appellants submitted that the State of Uttar Pradesh has its own local law of probation i.e. Uttar Pradesh First Offenders Probation Act, 1938. He further submitted that the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (Central Act) is also applicable in the State of Uttar Pradesh as held by Hon'ble the Supreme Court in the case of Mohd. Hashim Vs. State of U.P.; (2017) 2 SCC 198. Thus, learned counsel for the appellants submitted that it is upon the discretion of the Court to grant benefits in either of the Acts.

18. Learned counsel for the appellants further submitted that he does not want to press the appeal on merits. He has submitted that the incident took place 22 years ago and there is no further criminal antecedent of the appellants. The delay in trial deprives the right of the appellants of speedy trial and they may be given benefit of first offender and appellants may be extended the benefit of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (hereinafter referred as the ‘Act of 1958’). He further submitted that appellants are first time offenders and are not previously convicted in any case. He further submitted that it is the Court which may consider the benefit of Section 4 of the Act of 1958 to the accused-appellants. 5

19. Learned A.G.A., on the other hand, opposed the appeal and has submitted that there is no material irregularity or illegality committed by the court below and keeping in view the evidence on record, accused- appellants have been rightly convicted.

20. Learned A.G.A. appearing for the State does not dispute the fact that accused-appellants are the first time offender and were not previously convicted in any other case. He also submits that in view of the expressed provisions of Section 361 Cr.P.C., considering the facts and circumstances, nature of the offence, the character of the accused- appellants and particularly, the time period which has lapsed since the date of incident, the benefit of Section 4 of the Act, 1958 can be granted in this case.

21. Learned A.G.A. further states that the benefit of Section 4 of the Act of 1958 could be extended to the accused-appellants on certain stipulations as specified in Section 4 of the Act of 1958.

22. After considering the arguments advanced by the parties and after perusal of the material available on record, this Court finds that except apart the merits of the case, so far as the prayer of learned counsel for the appellants for providing benefits of Section 4 of the Act of 1958 is concerned, it is essential to discuss the legal position and law propounded in this regard.

23. Sections 3 and 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 are extracted hereunder :- "3. Power of court to release certain offenders after admonition.- "Where any person is found guilty of having committed an offence punishable under Section 379 or Section 380 or Section 381 or Section 404 or Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860) or any offence punishable with imprisonment for not more than two years, or with fine, or with both, under the Indian Penal code, or any other law, and no previous conviction is proved against him 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 so to do, then, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Court may, 6 instead of sentencing him to any punishment or releasing him on probation of good conduct under section 4 release him after due admonition. Explanation.-For the purposes of this Section, previous conviction against a person shall include any previous order made against him under this Section or Section 4.

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 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: 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."

24. That Hon'ble Supreme Court in Ratan Lal vs State of Punjab, AIR 1965 SC 444, while discussing the purpose and object of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, has observed in para no. 4, as follows:- "4. The Act is a milestone in the progress of the modern liberal trend of reform in the field of penology. It is the result of the recognition of the doctrine that the object of criminal law is more to reform the individual offender than to punish him. Broadly stated the Act distinguishes offenders below 21 years of age and those above that age, and offenders who are guilty of having committed an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life and those who are guilty of a lesser offence. While in the case of offenders who are above the age of 21 years, absolute discretion is given to the court to release them after admonition or on probation of good conduct, subject to the condition laid down in the appropriate provision of the Act, in the case of offenders below the age of 21 years an injunction is issued to the court not to sentence them to imprisonment unless it is satisfied that having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the nature of the offence and the character of the offenders, it is not desirable to deal with them under Ss. 3 and 4 of the Act." 7

25. Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ved Prakash vs