In Brief
Two appellants convicted under the Indian Penal Code Sections 307, 382 and 34 (attempted murder, dacoity, and common intention) had served approximately half of their 7-year sentence. They sought release on probation, supported by a compromise deed in which the victim stated he had forgiven them and had no objection to their release. The Supreme Court held that under Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, courts can conditionally release offenders on probation on completion of half their sentence, where the victim has forgiven them and there is no adverse prison conduct. The appeals were disposed of, granting probation on the condition of maintaining a bond with sureties to ensure good behaviour for the remaining sentence.
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