In Brief
In 1999, Jan Mohamad, a Haryana Roadways driver, was accused of embezzling 85 liters of diesel. He was convicted under IPC Sections 409, 420, and 120B and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment and a fine. His appeals were dismissed. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction but partially allowed his appeal on sentencing grounds. Considering that the appellant was elderly, in ill health, had already served jail time during trial, and had no other criminal record, the Court reduced his sentence to time already served and increased the fine to Rs. 25,000. The conviction stands, but the harsh sentencing was moderated in the interests of justice.
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