Hon'ble the Supreme Court in the case of Mohd. Hashim vs Learned counsel for the appellants further submitted that he

Judgment

1. Heard learned counsel for the appellant, Shri Ajay Kumar Srivastava, learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the record.

2. The instant Criminal Appeal under Section 374(2) Cr.P.C. has been filed by the appellants, namely, Vimlesh Singh, Chhotey Singh and Badey Singh all sons of Natthu Singh, r/o Village Bhorapur, P.S.- Pali, District- Hardoi challenging the judgment and order 09.02.2009 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge/Special Judge, SC/ST Act, Hardoi in S.T. No.323 of 2006, arising out of Crime No.Pariwad, P.S. Pali, District- Hardoi, convicting and sentencing the appellants under Section 323/34 I.P.C. to undergo six months rigorous imprisonment; to further undergo six months rigorous imprisonment under Section 3(1)(x) of SC/St Act with a fine of Rs.500/- each and in default of payment of fine to further undergo one month rigorous imprisonment. All the sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

3. The case of the prosecution, in nutshell, is that an application under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. was given by Shiv Ram (P.W.1), who sustained injuries, before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-Ist. According to the same, the complainant belongs to scheduled caste (Pasi) and the accused -appellants and co- accused -Anil Kumar Singh s/o Chutkannu and Amar Pal Singh Page No.2 of 23 s/o Ram Sharan Singh Jayaram belong to general caste (Thakur). On 09.11.2001 at about 6:00 P.M. the complainant was going to buy vegetables at Bhorapur market from his field and his wife was cutting paddy at the field situated near the said market. The accused persons were standing in a drunken state at the crossroad of Daulatpur Road. When the complainant crossed near the accused persons, then the accused hit at the back of complainant with water chestnut (singara) and when the complainant opposed then the accused persons assaulted him with lathi and danda and threatened him. On shouting, complainant’s wife -Ramlali reached the spot and the accused pushed her into the bushes and tried to outrage the modesty. On making hue and cry by the complainant and his wife, Prakash and Ram came from the market and other villagers also reached the spot who saved the complainant and his wife. The accused threatened to kill and also snatched Rs.37/- from the pant of the complainant. When the complainant along with his wife reached at the Police Station in the evening on the same day, the accused persons were already there and the report was not written. The complainant also moved applications to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, but when no heed was paid then he along with his wife went to Sadar Hospital on 12.11.2001 for medical examination. On

29.11.2001 the Court did not find it a fit case for investigation

and registered it as a complaint case and prima facie, on the basis of sufficient evidence, the accused appellants were summoned under Sections 323, 506 I.P.C. & 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act on 26.03.20203. The co-accused -Amar Pal was not summoned due to insufficient evidence against him.

4. Thereafter the said case was committed to the Court of Session vide order dated 29.05.2006 by the then Chief Judicial Magistrate, Court No.4 where it was registered as S.T. No.323 of 2006 and charges under Sections 323/34, 504 I.P.C. & Page No.3 of 23 Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act were framed against the accused/ appellants which they denied and claimed trial.

5. To establish/prove the case, the prosecution examined as many as four witnesses, namely, injured-Shivram (P.W.1), Satya Prakash (P.W.2), injured-Smt. Ram Lalli (P.W.3) and Dr. Vedvyas (P.W.4), who proved the injuries and injury report (Ex.Ka-2).

6. That after closing of the evidence, statements of accused/ appellants under Section 313 Cr.P.C. was recorded by the trial court, after explaining the entire evidence and other circumstances, in which the appellants denied the prosecution story and the entire prosecution story was said to be wrong and concocted. The accused in order to substantiate their case produced D.W.1 -Makhallu and D.W.2 -Dharmendra Singh, who deposed in favour of accused.

7. Thereafter, the learned trial court, after considering the material brought on record and statement of injured witnesses namely Shivram (P.W.1) and Smt. Ram Lalli (P.W.3) as also the injuries sustained by him as indicated in injury report, proved by Dr. Ved Vyas (P.W.4) passed the judgment of conviction and awarded sentence as indicated above.

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

9. 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 submission in the appeal only with respect to the order of sentence. Page No.4 of 23

10. 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 acquitted the appellants for the offence mentioned above and invoked the provisions of The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (hereinafter referred to as 'Act, 1958') and in not doing so, the trial court erred in law and fact both.

11. 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, 1958.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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 Page No.5 of 23 were not applied, then the learned Trial Court should have recorded reasons for the same.

15. 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.

16. 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 24 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 they 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 offender 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.

17. 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.

18. Learned A.G.A. appearing for the State does not dispute the fact that accused-appellants are the first time offender and was 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, Page No.6 of 23 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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, 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 Page No.7 of 23 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."

22. 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."

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

and registered it as a complaint case and prima facie, on the basis of sufficient evidence, the accused appellants were summoned under Sections 323, 506 I.P.C. & 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act on 26.03.20203. The co-accused -Amar Pal was not summoned due to insufficient evidence against him.

4. Thereafter the said case was committed to the Court of Session vide order dated 29.05.2006 by the then Chief Judicial Magistrate, Court No.4 where it was registered as S.T. No.323 of 2006 and charges under Sections 323/34, 504 I.P.C. & Page No.3 of 23 Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act were framed against the accused/ appellants which they denied and claimed trial.

5. To establish/prove the case, the prosecution examined as many as four witnesses, namely, injured-Shivram (P.W.1), Satya Prakash (P.W.2), injured-Smt. Ram Lalli (P.W.3) and Dr. Vedvyas (P.W.4), who proved the injuries and injury report (Ex.Ka-2).

6. That after closing of the evidence, statements of accused/ appellants under Section 313 Cr.P.C. was recorded by the trial court, after explaining the entire evidence and other circumstances, in which the appellants denied the prosecution story and the entire prosecution story was said to be wrong and concocted. The accused in order to substantiate their case produced D.W.1 -Makhallu and D.W.2 -Dharmendra Singh, who deposed in favour of accused.

7. Thereafter, the learned trial court, after considering the material brought on record and statement of injured witnesses namely Shivram (P.W.1) and Smt. Ram Lalli (P.W.3) as also the injuries sustained by him as indicated in injury report, proved by Dr. Ved Vyas (P.W.4) passed the judgment of conviction and awarded sentence as indicated above.

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

9. 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 submission in the appeal only with respect to the order of sentence. Page No.4 of 23

10. 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 acquitted the appellants for the offence mentioned above and invoked the provisions of The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (hereinafter referred to as 'Act, 1958') and in not doing so, the trial court erred in law and fact both.

11. 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, 1958.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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 Page No.5 of 23 were not applied, then the learned Trial Court should have recorded reasons for the same.

15. 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.

16. 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 24 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 they 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 offender 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.

17. 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.

18. Learned A.G.A. appearing for the State does not dispute the fact that accused-appellants are the first time offender and was 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, Page No.6 of 23 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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, 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 Page No.7 of 23 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."

22. 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."

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