In Brief
In this criminal appeal, the Supreme Court addressed whether the Probation of Offenders Act could be applied to an offence under Section 326 IPC (causing grievous hurt) which carries life imprisonment. The High Court, on remand, had released the accused on probation citing the 23+ year delay since the 1985 incident. The Supreme Court held that Section 326 offences cannot be compounded under probation laws. While affirming the conviction, the Court modified the sentence to imprisonment till the rising of Court, considering mitigating factors like passage of time and the accused's age and health. Compensation was enhanced from Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 5 lakhs."
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