In Brief
On 7 March 2000, miscreants posing as customs officials intercepted and assaulted a man carrying Rs. 5 lakhs in cash, stealing the money in Calcutta. Jahangir Hussain and Parmeshwar Lal Soni were convicted for dacoity (Section 395) and receiving stolen property (Section 412) respectively. The victim identified Hussain in a parade, and Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 1 lakh were recovered from the two accused. The Supreme Court confirmed their convictions but reduced the sentence from seven to five years rigorous imprisonment with enhanced fines of Rs. 20,000 each, citing the 19-year delay since the offence and absence of prior antecedents.
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