AMBI RAMversusSTATE OF UTTARAKHAND

656                SUPREME [2019]
                           COURT2 REPORTS
                                  S.C.R. 656               [2019] 2 S.C.R.


A                                     AMBI RAM
                                            v.
                             STATE OF UTTARAKHAND
                          (Criminal Appeal No. 1723 of 2009)
                                 FEBRUARY 05, 2019
B
                        [ABHAY MANOHAR SAPRE AND
                           DINESH MAHESHWARI, JJ.]
              Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 – s.5(2) – Appellant
      accepted illegal gratification – Trial Court convicted the appellant
      for the offences punishable u/s.5(2) of the PC Act r/w. s.161 of the
C     IPC – He was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a
      period of four years and to pay a fine of Rs.5000/- u/s.5(2) of the
      PC Act – Also, he was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment
      for a period of three years u/s.161 IPC – Both the sentences under
      the PC Act and the IPC were to run concurrently – High Court
D     maintained the conviction and reduced the quantum of sentence to
      one year under both the provisions of the Act – Both the sentences
      were to run concurrently – High Court also reduced the fine amount
      of Rs.5000/- to Rs.3000/- – Appellant pleaded for the reduction of
      the jail sentence – On appeal, held: Proviso to s.5(2) of the PC Act
      empowers the Court to impose sentence of imprisonment of less than
E     one year provided any special reasons are recorded in writing in
      support of imposing such reduce sentence of less than one year –
      In instant case, there were eight reasons which satisfied the
      requirements of proviso to s.5(2) of the PC Act – Firstly, the incident
      was of the year 1985; Secondly, this case was pending for last 34
F     years; Thirdly, the appellant had reached to the age of 78 years;
      Fourthly, he was suffering from heart ailment; Fifthly, he has already
      undergone total jail sentence of one month and ten days during the
      trial and after conviction; Sixthly, he was on bail for last 34 years
      and had neither indulged in any criminal activities nor breached
      any of the bail conditions; Seventhly, the bribe amount was Rs.1200/
G     -; lastly, in the last 34 years, he had suffered immense trauma, mental
      agony and anguish – Thus, jail sentence passed by the Courts below
      reduced to “what is already undergone by the appellant”, i.e. one
      month & ten days and fine amount of Rs.3000/- enhanced to
      Rs.10,000/- Penal Code, 1860 – s.161
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                                       656
          AMBI RAM v. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND                             657


       Partly allowing the appeal, the Court                           A
       HELD : 1. Reading of Section 5 (2) of the PC Act shows
that it provides that any public servant, who commits criminal
misconduct, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to
seven years and shall also be liable to fine. The proviso then         B
empowers the Court to impose sentence of imprisonment of less
than one year provided any special reasons are recorded in writing
in support of imposing such reduce sentence of less than one
year. [Paras 15 and 16][660-F, G]
       2. It is, therefore, clear that the Court is empowered to
impose a sentence, which may vary from 1 year to 7 years with          C
fine. However, in a particular case, the Court finds that there are
some special reasons in favour of the accused then the Court is
empowered to impose imprisonment of less than one year
provided those special reasons are set out in writing in support
of imposing sentence less than one year. So far as imposing of         D
fine is concerned, it is mandatory while imposing any jail sentence.
How much fine should be imposed depend upon the facts of each
case.[Para 17][660-H; 661-A]
       3. Keeping in view the statement of law laid down by this
Court and examining the facts of the case at hand, this Court          E
finds that Firstly, the incident is of the year 1985; Secondly, this
case is pending for the last 34 years; Thirdly, the appellant has
now reached to the age of 78 years; Fourthly, he is suffering from
heart ailment, as stated by the counsel for the appellant, and is
also not keeping well; Fifthly, he has so far, during the trial and
after suffering conviction, undergone total jail sentence of one       F
month and 10 days; Sixthly, he has been on bail throughout for
the last 34 years and did not indulge in any criminal activities nor
breached any conditions of the bail granted to him; Seventhly,
the bribe amount was Rs.1200/-; and lastly, in the last 34 years,
he has suffered immense trauma, mental agony and anguish.
                                                                       G
[Para 20][662-C-D]
       K.P. Singh v. State (NCT of Delhi) (2015) 15 SCC 497
       – relied on.


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658                SUPREME COURT REPORTS                    [2019] 2 S.C.R.


A            4. The aforesaid 8 reasons which are the special reasons
      satisfy the requirements of proviso to Section 5 (2) the PC Act.
      This Court, therefore, invoke the powers under proviso to Section
      5 (2) of the PC Act and accordingly alter the jail sentence imposed
      on the appellant by the two Courts below and reduce it to “what
      is already undergone by the appellant”, i.e., 1 month and 10 days.
B
      [Para 21][662-E, F]
             5. In other words, this Court alter the jail sentence of the
      appellant and award him “what is already undergone by him” and
      at the same time enhances the fine amount of Rs.3000/- to
      Rs.10,000/- to meet the ends of justice. [Para 22][662-G]
C                            Case Law Reference
      (2015) 15 SCC 497                relied on                  Para 18
            CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal
      No. 1723 of 2009.
D           From the Judgment and Order dated 14.05.2009 of the High
      Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital in Criminal Appeal No. 258 of 2001
      (Old No. 1518 of 1991)
            Arun K. Sinha, Adv. for the Appellant.
            Ashutosh Kumar Sharma, Kamlendra Mishra, Advs. for the
E     Respondent.
            The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
            ABHAY MANOHAR SAPRE, J.
            1. This appeal is filed against the final judgment and order dated
      14.05.2009 passed by the High Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital in
F     Criminal Appeal No. 258 of 2001 (Old No.1518/1991) whereby the High
      Court partly allowed the appeal filed by the appellant herein.
            2. A few facts need mention to appreciate the short controversy
      involved in this appeal.
            3. The appellant was working as “Kanoongo/Patwari” at Didihat,
G     Uttarakhand. He was prosecuted for commission of the offences
      punishable under Section 5 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947
      (hereinafter referred to as “the PC Act”) read with Section 161 of the
      Indian Penal Code, 1860(hereinafter referred to as “IPC”).


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            AMBI RAM v. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND                                 659
               [ABHAY MANOHAR SAPRE, J. ]

       4. The charge against the appellant was that he assured one Gopal     A
Singh that he would not arrest him nor would implicate him in one pending
criminal case, if he pays him Rs.1200/-.
       5. It was the case of the prosecution that the appellant while
accepting the illegal gratification of Rs.1200/- from Gopal Singh on
30.09.1985 was caught by S.P. (Vigilance) in a trap arranged for this        B
purpose at the behest of Gopal Singh.
       6. The Sessions Judge, Pithoragarh, by order dated 05.08.1991,
found the case of the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt and
accordingly convicted the appellant for the offences punishable under
Section 5 (2) of the PC Act read with Section 161 IPC and sentenced
him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of four years and to       C
pay a fine of Rs.5000/- under Section 5(2) of the PC Act and in default
of payment of fine, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for a period
of one year and to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of three
years under Section 161 IPC. Both the sentences were to run
concurrently.                                                                D
       7. The appellant felt aggrieved by his conviction and sentence and
filed an appeal in the High Court. By impugned order, the High Court
partly allowed the appeal. The High Court maintained the conviction
insofar as it pertains to the offence punishable under Section 5(2) of the
PC Act but interfered in quantum of sentence awarded and accordingly         E
reduced the jail sentence from four years to one year and reduced the
fine amount of Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 3000/- in default of payment of fine to
further undergo rigorous imprisonment for three months. So far as the
offence punishable under Section 161 IPC is concerned, the High Court
upheld the conviction but reduced the sentence from three years to one
year. Both the sentences were to run concurrently.                           F
       8. The appellant(accused) felt aggrieved and has filed this appeal
by way of special leave in this Court.
       9. Heard Mr. Arun K. Sinha, learned counsel for the
appellant(accused) and Mr. Ashutosh Kumar Sharma, learned counsel
for the respondent(State).                                                   G
       10. Learned counsel for the appellant (accused) has argued only
one point. He did not question the legality of the conviction. All that he
argued was that the jail sentence awarded to the appellant be reduced.

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660                SUPREME COURT REPORTS                      [2019] 2 S.C.R.


A            11. According to him, having regard to the fact that the appellant
      is now aged around 78 years and suffering from heart ailment and further
      the incident is of the year 1985 and, in the meantime, 34 years have
      elapsed and lastly, the appellant has undergone around one month and
      10 days imprisonment, this Court should exercise its powers under proviso
      to Section 5 (2) of the PC Act and reduce the jail sentence from one
B
      year to what is undergone by the appellant, i.e., 1 month and 10 days as
      his total jail sentence and may, if considered proper, instead enhance the
      fine amount.
             12. Learned counsel for the respondent, in reply, supported the
      impugned order and contended that having regard to the factual
C     circumstances, no case of further reduction in the sentence awarded by
      the High Court is made out and, therefore, the appeal is liable to be
      dismissed.
             13. Having heard the learned counsel for the parties and on perusal
      of the record of the case, we are inclined to allow the appeal in part and
D     reduce the sentence as indicated below.
             14. Section 5 (2) of the PC Act reads as under :
             “(2) Any public servant who commits criminal misconduct
             shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall
             not be less than one year but which may extend to seven
E            years and shall also be liable to fine:
                Provided that the court may, for any special reasons
             recorded in writing, impose a sentence of imprisonment of
             less than one year.”
             15. Reading of Section 5 (2) of the PC Act shows that it provides
F     that any public servant, who commits criminal misconduct, shall be
      punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one
      year but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to
      fine.
             16. The proviso then empowers the Court to impose sentence of
      imprisonment of less than one year provided any special reasons are
G
      recorded in writing in support of imposing such reduce sentence of less
      than one year.
             17. It is, therefore, clear that the Court is empowered to impose a
      sentence, which may vary from 1 year to 7 years with fine. However, in
      a particular case, the Court finds that there are some special reasons in
H     favour of the accused then the Court is empowered to impose
            AMBI RAM v. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND                                     661
               [ABHAY MANOHAR SAPRE, J. ]

imprisonment of less than one year provided those special reasons are            A
set out in writing in support of imposing sentence less than one year. So
far as imposing of fine is concerned, it is mandatory while imposing any
jail sentence. How much fine should be imposed depend upon the facts
of each case.
        18. In the case of K.P. Singh vs State (NCT of Delhi), (2015)            B
15 SCC 497, this Court on somewhat similar facts considered the question
as to what factors/circumstances should be taken into consideration for
reducing the jail sentence.
        19. In his concurring opinion, Justice T.S Thakur (as his Lordship
then was and later CJI) in his distinctive style of writing in detail examined
this question in the light of law laid down by this Court in earlier cases on    C
the subject and held as under:
        “10. Determining the adequacy of sentence to be awarded
        in a given case is not an easy task, just as evolving a uniform
        sentencing policy is a tough call. That is because the
        quantum of sentence that may be awarded depends upon a                   D
        variety of factors including mitigating circumstances peculiar
        to a given case. The courts generally enjoy considerable
        amount of discretion in the matter of determining the
        quantum of sentence. In doing so, the courts are influenced
        in varying degrees by the reformative, deterrent and                     E
        punitive aspects of punishment, delay in the conclusion of
        the trial and legal proceedings, the age of the accused, his
        physical/health condition, the nature of the offence, the
        weapon used and in the cases of illegal gratification the
        amount of bribe, loss of job and family obligations of the
        accused are also some of the considerations that weigh                   F
        heavily with the courts while determining the sentence to
        be awarded. The courts have not attempted to exhaustively
        enumerate the considerations that go into determination of
        the quantum of sentence nor have the courts attempted to
        lay down the weight that each one of these considerations
                                                                                 G
        carry. That is because any such exercise is neither easy
        nor advisable given the myriad situations in which the
        question may fall for determination. Broadly speaking, the
        courts have recognised the factors mentioned earlier as
        being relevant to the question of determining the sentence.
        The decisions of this Court on the subject are a legion.                 H
        Reference to some only should, however, suffice.
662                 SUPREME COURT REPORTS                        [2019] 2 S.C.R.


A            19. Given the fact that the trial and appeal proceedings have
             in the case at hand continued for nearly 17 years by now
             causing immense trauma, mental incarnation (sic
             incarceration) and anguish to the appellant and also given
             the fact that the bribe amount was just about Rs 700 and
             that the appellant has already undergone 7½ months
B
             imprisonment against the statutory minimum of 6 months’
             imprisonment, the reduction of the sentence as proposed
             by my esteemed Brother appears to be perfectly in order.
             I, therefore, concur with the view taken by his Lordship.”
             20. Keeping in view the aforementioned statement of law laid
C     down by this Court when we examine the facts of the case at hand, we
      find that Firstly, the incident is of the year 1985; Secondly, this case is
      pending for the last 34 years; Thirdly, the appellant has now reached to
      the age of 78 years; Fourthly, he is suffering from heart ailment, as
      stated by the learned counsel for the appellant, and is also not keeping
D     well; Fifthly, he has so far, during the trial and after suffering conviction,
      undergone total jail sentence of one month and 10 days; Sixthly, he has
      been on bail throughout for the last 34 years and did not indulge in any
      criminal activities nor breached any conditions of the bail granted to him;
      Seventhly, the bribe amount was Rs.1200/-; and lastly, in the last 34
      years, he has suffered immense trauma, mental agony and anguish.
E            21. The aforesaid 8 reasons which, in our view, are the special
      reasons satisfy the requirements of proviso to Section 5 (2) the PC Act.
      This Court, therefore, invoke the powers under proviso to Section 5 (2)
      of the PC Act and accordingly alter the jail sentence imposed on the
      appellant by the two Courts below and reduce it to “what is already
F     undergone by the appellant”, i.e., 1 month and 10 days.
             22. In other words, this Court alter the jail sentence of the appellant
      and award him “what is already undergone by him” and at the same
      time enhances the fine amount of Rs.3000/- to Rs.10,000/- to meet the
      ends of justice.
G            23. The appellant is, therefore, now not required to undergo any
      more jail sentence. However, in case he fails to deposit a fine amount of
      Rs.10,000/- after adjusting the sum of Rs.3000/-, if already paid by the
      appellant, he will have to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of
      one month.

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             AMBI RAM v. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND                                   663
                [ABHAY MANOHAR SAPRE, J. ]

        24. If the appellant deposits the fine amount of Rs.10,000/- within     A
3 months from today, he will not be required to undergo any default jail
sentence. If he has already deposited Rs.3000/- then he will only deposit
Rs.7000/-.
        25. In view of the foregoing discussion, the appeal succeeds and
is partly allowed. The impugned order is modified to the extent indicated       B
above.

Ankit Gyan                                             Appeal partly allowed.



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