In Brief
Manjodh Singh and Charanjit Singh were convicted for illegally transporting liquor without a valid licence under the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, and sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction but reduced the sentence to six months, finding the original term excessive for first-time offenders. The Court held that police officers of Head Constable rank qualify as excise officers authorised to investigate such cases, and that investigator independence, independent witnesses, and complete sampling are not essential to proving the offence. The reduction acknowledged the absence of prior convictions and proportionality principles."
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