1

DAMODARAM iSANJIVAYYA iNATIONAL iLAW iUNIVERSITY

V I S A K H A P A T N A M , i A . P . , i I N D I A

NAME iOF iTHE iPROJECT:

EXECUTION iOF iSENTENCE iOF iIMPRISONMENT

SUBJECT:
CRIMINAL iPROCEDURE iCODE
NAME iOF iTHE iFACULTY: iMS. iSOMA iBATTACHARJYA

NAME iOF iTHE iSTUDENT:

P.RAJKUMAR

ROLL iNO:
18LLB068

SEMESTER iIV
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CERTIFICATE

This iis ito icertify ithat iP.RAJ iKUMAR, ia istudent iof iSemester iII,
iDamodaramSanjivayya iNational iLaw iUniversity, ihas isuccessfully icompleted ithe
iresearch ion i“EXECUTION iOF iSENTENCE iOF iIMPRISONMENT” iunder ithe
iguidanceofMS.SOMA iBATTACHARJYAduring ithe iyear i2020

Signature iof ithe iStudent. i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i iSignature iof ithe iTeacher.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I iam igrateful ito iour iAdministrative iCRIMINAL iPROCEDURE iCODE ifor iher
ivaluable iguidance, isignificant isuggestions iand ihelp ifor iaccomplishing ithis iproject
iregarding i“EXECUTION iOF iSENTENCE iOF iIMPRISONMENT iSECTION i418”. iI
ihave itried imy ibest ito icollect iinformation iabout ithe iproject iin ivarious ipossible iways
ito idepict iclear ipicture iabout ithe igiven iproject itopic.
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SYNOPSIS

INTRODUCTION:section i418 iof iCrPc isays iwhere ithe iaccused iis isentenced ito
iimprisonment ifor ilife ior ito iimprisonment ifor ia iterm iin icases iother ithan ithose iwho
iprovided ifor iby isection i413 iand ithe icourt ipassing ithe isentence ishall iforthwith
iforward ia iwarrant ito ithe ijail ior iother iplace iin iwhich ihe iis iconfined iunless ithe
iaccused iis ialready iconfined iin isuch ijail ior iother iplace i, ishall iforward ihim ito ijail
ior iother iplaces iwith ithe iwarrant iprovided ithat iwere ithe iaccused iis isentenced ito
iimprisonment itill ithe irising iof ithe icourt, iit ishall inot ibe inecessary ito iprepare ior
iforward ia iwarrant ito ia ijail, iand ithe iaccused imay ibe iconfined iin isuch iplaces ias ithe
icourt imay idirect. iAnd ialso iwhere ithe iaccused iis inot ipresent iin icourt iwhen ihe iis
isentenced ito isuch iimprisonment ias iis imentioned iin isub-section i(1), ithe icourt ishall
iissue ia iwarrant ifor ihis iarrest ifor ithe ipurpose iof iforwarding ihim ito ithe ijail ior iother
iplace iin iwhich ihe iis ito ibe iconfined iand iin isuch icase i, ithe isentence ishall
icommence ion ithe idate iof ihis iarrest. iAnd ialso, ithe iproviso ito isub i(1) iis iapplicable
ito ia icase iwhere ithe icourt ipasses ia isentence iof iimprisonment itill ithe irising iof ithe
icourt. iEven iin ithe iabsence iof ithis iproviso, ithe icourts idetained ipersons, iso
isentenced, iin icourt ipremises iwithout ipreparing iany iwarrant. iThe iproviso iregularises
ithis imode iof idetention iand iwarrant iof iarrest iwhere iaccused inot ipresent iat itime iof
isentence ithis isub isection iapplies ito ithe icase iwhere ithe iaccused iis iabsent ifrom ithe
icourt iat ithe itime iwhen isentenced iis ipronounced iin isuch ia icase ithe icourt iissues ia
iwarrant iof iarrest iagainst ithe iaccused iand iit iis ionly ion isuch iarrest ibeing imade ithat
ithe isentence ibegins ito irun iand isection i419 iof iCrPc isays ithat ievery iwarrant ifor ithe
iexecution iof ia isentence iof iimprisonment ishall ibe idirected ito ithe iofficer iin icharge
iof ithe ijail ior iother iplace iin iwhich ithe iprisoner iis, ior iis ito ibe iconfined. iThere
ishould ibe ia iseparate iwarrant ishould ibe iissued iin ithe icase iof ieach iprisoner iand ia
idefinite iperiod iof iimprisonment ishould ibe istated. iA isentence iof iimprisonment imust
ibe imade ito ioperate ifrom ithe idate iof iconviction iand inot ifrom ia idate iprior ito ithe
idate ion iwhich ithe isentence iis ipassed. iWhere itherefore ithe imagistrate iordered ithat
ithe iperiod ialready iundergone iin icustody iduring itrail ibe icounted itowards isentence, iit
iwas iheld ithat iorder iwas iillegal. i
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OBJECTIVE iOF iTHE iSTUDY: i

My ipurpose iof icarefully idelving ithe itopic iof i“execution iof isentence iof
iimprisonment” iis;

1) To imake ia istudy ion iimportance iof iexecution iof isentence iof iimprisonment.
2) To ifind iout ithe iprocedure iunder iexecution iof isentence iof iimprisonment.
3) To ifind iout iwho ican iimpose iimprisonment iand itheir ipowers.

RESEARCH iQUESTIONS:

1) Whether iexecution iof isentence iof iimprisonment iapplies iin iall icases?
2) Who iwill iissue ia iwarrant iin iexecution iof isentence iof iimprisonment?
3) If ithe iaccused ialready iconfined iis iit inecessary ifor ithe icourt ito iforward
iwarrant?
4) What icourt iwill ido iif ithere iis iAbsence iof iwitness?
5) What ihappens iif ithe ipetitioner iwas iabsent iduring ithe ihearing iprocess?

LITERATURE iREVIEW:

As ipart iof ithis iproject iI ireferred ito ithe ifollowing ibooks iand isources:

1. Lexis iNexis icriminal iprocedure icode

2. State ilaws i
3. Indian ikanoon
4. Westlaw

RESEARCH iMETHODOLOGY:
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NATURE iOF iTHE iSTUDY:

The inature iof ithis isocio-legal istudy iincludes:

1) Descriptive istudy
2) Explanatory istudy

Case ilaws:

1) KUNDAN iLAL iVS iEMPEROR iAIR i1931 iHC

2) SAT iPAL iALIAS iSADHU iVS iSTATE iOF iHARYANA i1993 iAIR i1218,
i1992 iSCR i

SCOPE iOF iTHE iSTUDY:

My istudy iis ibased ion i“Execution iof isentence iof iimprisonment iin iIndia.”

SIGNIFICANE iOF iTHE iSTUDY:

iThrough ithis iresearch:

1) One ican ieasily icomprehend iand iunderstand ithat iprocedure iof iexecution iof
isentence iof iimprisonment.
2) One ican iunderstand ithat iwhat iis ithe iauthority iand isignificance iof iexecution iof
isentence iof iimprisonment.
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TABLE iOF iCONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. EXECUTION iOF iSETENCE iOF iIMPRISONMENRT i

• POWER iTO iAPPOINT iPLACE iOF iIMPRISONMENT iSECTION i417

• EXECUTION iOF iSENTENCE iOF iIMPRISONMENT iSECTION i418

• DIRECTION iOF iWARRANT iFOR iEXECUTION iSECTION i419

• WARRANT iWITH iWHOM iTO iBE iLODGED iSECTION i420

• VARIOUS iSTAGES iOF iCRIMINAL iTRAIL

3. CASE iLAWS

• KUNDAN iLAL iVS iEMPEROR iAIR i1931 iHC i(Judgement)

• SAT iPAL iALIAS iSADHU iVS iSTATE iOF iHARYANA i1993 iAIR i1218,

i1992 iSCR i(Case iAnalysis)

4. CONCLUSION

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Tittle iof ithe iproject: i iExecution iof isentence iof iimprisonment

Introduction:section i418 iof iCrPc isays iwhere ithe iaccused iis isentenced ito
iimprisonment ifor ilife ior ito iimprisonment ifor ia iterm iin icases iother ithan ithose iwho
iprovided ifor iby isection i413 iand ithe icourt ipassing ithe isentence ishall iforthwith
iforward ia iwarrant ito ithe ijail ior iother iplace iin iwhich ihe iis iconfined iunless ithe
iaccused iis ialready iconfined iin isuch ijail ior iother iplace i, ishall iforward ihim ito ijail
ior iother iplaces iwith ithe iwarrant iprovided ithat iwere ithe iaccused iis isentenced ito
iimprisonment itill ithe irising iof ithe icourt, iit ishall inot ibe inecessary ito iprepare ior
iforward ia iwarrant ito ia ijail, iand ithe iaccused imay ibe iconfined iin isuch iplaces ias ithe
icourt imay idirect. iAnd ialso iwhere ithe iaccused iis inot ipresent iin icourt iwhen ihe iis
isentenced ito isuch iimprisonment ias iis imentioned iin isub-section i(1), ithe icourt ishall
iissue ia iwarrant ifor ihis iarrest ifor ithe ipurpose iof iforwarding ihim ito ithe ijail ior iother
iplace iin iwhich ihe iis ito ibe iconfined iand iin isuch icase i, ithe isentence ishall
icommence ion ithe idate iof ihis iarrest. iAnd ialso, ithe iproviso ito isub i(1) iis iapplicable
ito ia icase iwhere ithe icourt ipasses ia isentence iof iimprisonment itill ithe irising iof ithe
icourt. iEven iin ithe iabsence iof ithis iproviso, ithe icourts idetained ipersons, iso
isentenced, iin icourt ipremises iwithout ipreparing iany iwarrant. iThe iproviso iregularises
ithis imode iof idetention iand iwarrant iof iarrest iwhere iaccused inot ipresent iat itime iof
isentence ithis isub isection iapplies ito ithe icase iwhere ithe iaccused iis iabsent ifrom ithe
icourt iat ithe itime iwhen isentenced iis ipronounced iin isuch ia icase ithe icourt iissues ia
iwarrant iof iarrest iagainst ithe iaccused iand iit iis ionly ion isuch iarrest ibeing imade ithat
ithe isentence ibegins ito irun iand isection i419 iof iCrPc isays ithat ievery iwarrant ifor ithe
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iexecution iof ia isentence iof iimprisonment ishall ibe idirected ito ithe iofficer iin icharge
iof ithe ijail ior iother iplace iin iwhich ithe iprisoner iis, ior iis ito ibe iconfined. iThere
ishould ibe ia iseparate iwarrant ishould ibe iissued iin ithe icase iof ieach iprisoner iand ia
idefinite iperiod iof iimprisonment ishould ibe istated. iA isentence iof iimprisonment imust
ibe imade ito ioperate ifrom ithe idate iof iconviction iand inot ifrom ia idate iprior ito ithe
idate ion iwhich ithe isentence iis ipassed. iWhere itherefore ithe imagistrate iordered i

that ithe iperiod ialready iundergone iin icustody iduring itrail ibe icounted itowards
isentence, iit iwas iheld ithat iorder iwas iillegal. i

Power ito iappoint iplace iof iimprisonment, iExecution iof isentence iof iimprisonment,
iDirection iof iwarrant ifor iexecution iand iWarrant iwith iwhom ito ibe ilodged iare idefined
iunder iSection i417, i418, i419 iand i420 iof iCRPC i1973

Section i417 iof iCRPC i"Power ito iappoint iplace iof iimprisonment"

1. Except iwhen iotherwise iprovided iby iany ilaw ifor ithe itime ibeing iin iforce, ithe
iState iGovernment imay idirect iin iwhat iplace iany iperson iliable ito ibe
iimprisoned ior icommitted ito icustody iunder ithis iCode ishall ibe iconfined.
2. If iany iperson iliable ito ibe iimprisoned ior icommitted ito icustody iunder ithis
iCode iis iin iconfinement iin ia icivil ijail ithe iCourt iof iMagistrate iordering ithe
iimprisonment ior icommittal imay idirect ithat ithe iperson ibe iremoved ito ia
icriminal ijail.
3. When ia iperson iis iremoved ito ia icriminal ijail iunder iSub-Section i(2), ihe ishall,
ion ibeing ireleased itherefrom, ibe isent iback ito ithe icivil ijail, iunless ieither
1. three iyears ihave ielapsed isince ihe iwas iremoved ito ithe icriminal ijail, iin
iwhich icase ihe ishall ibe ideemed ito ihave ibeen ireleased ifrom ithe icivil
ijail iunder isection i58 iof ithe iCode iof iCivil iProcedure, i1908 i(5 iof
i1908) ior isection i23 iof ithe iProvincial iInsolvency iAct, i1920 i(5 iof
i1920), ias ithe icase imay ibe; ior
2. the iCourt iwhich iordered ihis iimprisonment iin ithe icivil ijail ihas icertified
ito ithe iofficer iin icharge iof ithe icriminal ijail ithat ihe iis ientitled ito ibe
ireleased iunder isection i58 iof ithe iCode iof iCivil iProcedure, i1908 i(5 iof
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i1908) ior iunder isection i23 iof ithe iProvincial iInsolvency iAct, i1920 i(5
iof i1920), ias ithe icase imay ibe.

Section i418 iof iCRPC i"Execution iof isentence iof iimprisonment"

(1) iWhere ithe iaccused iis isentenced ito iimprisonment ifor, ilife ior ito iimprisonment ifor
ia iterm iin icases iother ithan ithose iprovided ifor iby iSection i413, ithe iCourt ipassing ithe
isentence ishall iforthwith iforward ia iwarrant ito ithe ijail ior iother iplace iin iwhich ihe iis,
ior iis ito ibe, iconfined, iand, iunless ithe iaccused iis ialready iconfined iin isuch ijail ior
iother iplace, ishall iforward ihim ito isuch ijail ior iother iplace, iwith ithe iwarrant

1) iProvided ithat iwhere ithe iaccused iis isentenced ito iimprisonment itill ithe irising iof
ithe iCourt, iit ishall inot ibe inecessary ito iprepare ior iforward ia iwarrant ito ia ijail, iand
ithe iaccused imay ibe iconfined iin isuch iplace ias ithe iCourt imay idirect.

(2) iWhere ithe iaccused iis inot ipresent iin iCourt iwhen ihe iis isentenced ito isuch
iimprisonment ias iis imentioned iin isub-section i(1), ithe iCourt ishall iissue ia iwarrant ifor
ihis iarrest ifor ithe ipurpose iof iforwarding ihim ito ithe ijail ior iother iplace iin iwhich ihe
iis ito ibe iconfined; iand iin isuch icase, ithe isentence ishall icommence ion ithe idate iof
ihis iarrest.

Section i419 iof iCRPC i"Direction iof iwarrant ifor iexecution"

Every iwarrant ifor ithe iexecution iof ia isentence iof iimprisonment ishall ibe idirected ito
ithe iofficer iin icharge iof ithe ijail ior iother iplace iin iwhich ithe iprisoner iis, ior iis ito ibe,
iconfined.

Section i420 iof iCRPC i"Warrant iwith iwhom ito ibe ilodged"

When ithe iprisoner iis ito ibe iconfined iin ijail, ithe iwarrant ishall ibe ilodged iwith ithe
ijailor.

VARIOUS iSTAGES iOF iCRIMINAL iTRAIL:

1. Warrant itrail i(7 iyears ior imore)

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2. Summons itrail i(2 iyears ior imore)

3. Summary itrail i(maximum i6 imonths)

WARRANT iCASES:

According ito iSection i2(x) iof iCode iof iCriminal iProcedure, i1973 ia iwarrant icase iis
ione iwhich irelates ito ioffenses ipunishable iwith ideath, iimprisonment ifor ilife ior
iimprisonment ifor ia iterm iexceeding itwo iyears. iThe itrial iin iwarrant icases istarts ieither
iby ithe ifiling iof iFIR iin ia ipolice istation ior iby ifiling ia icomplaint ibefore ia
imagistrate. iLater, iif ithe imagistrate iis isatisfied ithat ithe ioffense iis ipunishable ifor
imore ithan itwo iyears, ihe isends ithe icase ito ithe isessions icourt ifor itrial. iThe iprocess
iof isending iit ito isessions icourt iis icalled i“committing iit ito isessions icourt”.

IMPORTANT iFEATURES iOF iWARRANT iCASES:

1. Charges imust ibe imentioned iin ithe iwarrant icase

2. Personal iappearance iof ithe iaccused iis imandatory
3. A iwarrant icase icannot ibe iconverted iin ito isummon icase
4. Accused ican ibe icross iexamined imore ithan ionce
5. Magistrate imust iensure ithe iprovisions iof isection i207
6. Section i207 iof iCr. iP.C. i1973, iinclude ithe isupply iof icopies isuch ias ipolice
ireport, iFIR, istatements irecorded ior iany iother irelevant idocument ito ithe iaccused.
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DIFFERENT iOF iSTAGES iOF iCRIMINAL iTRAIL iIN iWARRANT iCASES:

• First iInformation iReport: iUnder iSection i154 iof ithe iCode iof iCriminal
iProcedure, ia iFIR ior iFirst iInformation iReport iis iregistered. iFIR iputs ithe
icase iinto imotion. iA iFIR iis iinformation igiven iby isomeone i(aggrieved) ito
ithe ipolice irelating ito ithe icommitment iof ian ioffense.
• Investigation: iThe inext istep iafter ithe ifiling iof iFIR iis ithe iinvestigation iby
ithe iinvestigating iofficer. iA iconclusion iis imade iby ithe iinvestigating iofficer
iby iexamining ifacts iand icircumstances, icollecting ievidence, iexamining
ivarious ipersons iand itaking itheir istatements iin iwriting iand iall ithe iother
isteps inecessary ifor icompleting ithe iinvestigation iand ithen ithat iconclusion iis
ifiled ito ithe imagistrate ias ia ipolice ireport.
• Charges: iIf iafter iconsidering ithe ipolice ireport iand iother iimportant
idocuments ithe iaccused iis inot idischarged ithen ithe icourt iframes icharges
iunder iwhich ihe iis ito ibe itrialled. iIn ia iwarrant icase, ithe icharges ishould ibe
iframed iin iwriting.
• Plea iof iguilty: iSection i241 iof ithe iCode iof iCriminal iProcedure, i1973 italks
iabout ithe iplea iof iguilty, iafter iframing iof ithe icharges ithe iaccused iis igiven
ian iopportunity ito iplead iguilty, iand ithe iresponsibility ilies iwith ithe ijudge ito
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iensure ithat ithe iplea iof iguilt iwas ivoluntarily imade. iThe ijudge imay iupon
iits idiscretion iconvict ithe iaccused.
• Prosecution ievidence: iAfter ithe icharges iare iframed, iand ithe iaccused
ipleads iguilty, ithen ithe icourt irequires ithe iprosecution ito iproduce ievidence
ito iprove ithe iguilt iof ithe iaccused. iThe iprosecution iis irequired ito isupport
itheir ievidence iwith istatements ifrom iits iwitnesses. iThis iprocess iis icalled
i“examination iin ichief”. iThe imagistrate ihas ithe ipower ito iissue isummons ito
iany iperson ias ia iwitness ior iorders ihim ito iproduce iany idocument.

SUMMON iCASES:

According ito iSection i2(w) iof iCode iof iCriminal iProcedure, i1973, iThose icases iin
iwhich ian ioffense iis ipunishable iwith ian iimprisonment iof ifewer ithan itwo iyears iis ia
isummon icase. iA isummon icase idoesn’t irequire ithe imethod iof ipreparing ithe ievidence.
iNevertheless, ia isummon icase ican ibe iconverted iinto ia iwarrant icase iby ithe imagistrate
iif iafter ilooking iinto ithe icase ihe ithinks ithat ithe icase iis inot ia isummon icase.

Important ipoints iabout isummons icase:

• A isummons icase ican ibe iconverted iinto ia iwarrant icase.

• The iperson iaccused ineed inot ibe ipresent ipersonally.
• The iperson iaccused ishould ibe iinformed iabout ithe icharges iorally. iNo ineed
ifor iframing ithe icharges iin iwriting.
• The iaccused igets ionly ione iopportunity ito icross-examine ithe iwitnesses.

The idifferent istages iof icriminal itrial iin ia isummon icase iare igiven ifrom iSection i251
ito iSection i259 iof ithe iCode iof iCriminal iprocedure.

STAGES iOF iCRIMINAL iTRIAL iIN iA iSUMMONS iCASE

• Pre-trial: iIn ithe ipre-trial istage, ithe iprocess isuch ias ifiling iof iFIR iand
iinvestigation iis iconducted.
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• Charges: iIn isummons itrials, icharges iare inot iframed iin iwriting. iThe
iaccused iappears ibefore ithe icourt ior iis ibrought ibefore ithe icourt ithen ithe
iMagistrate iwould iorally istate ithe ifacts iof ithe ioffense ihe iis ianswerable.
• Plea iof iguilty: iThe iMagistrate iafter istating ithe ifacts iof ithe ioffense iwill
iask ithe iaccused iif ihe ipleads iguilty ior ihas iany idefense ito isupport ihis
icase. iIf ithe iaccused ipleads iguilty, ithe iMagistrate irecords ithe istatement iin
ithe iwords iof ithe iaccused ias ifar ias ipossible iand imay iconvict ihim ion ihis
idiscretion.
• Plea iof iguilty iand iabsence iof ithe iaccused: iIn icases, iwhere ithe iaccused
iwants ito iplead iguilty iwithout iappearing iin ithe icourt, ithe iaccused iis
isupposed ito isend iRs.1000/- iby ipost ior ithrough ia imessenger i(lawyer) ito
ithe iMagistrate. iThe iabsentee ishould ialso isend ia iletter icontaining ian
iacceptance iof iguilt iand ithe iamount iof ifine iprovided iin ithe isummons. iThe
iMagistrate ican ion ihis idiscretion iconvict ithe iaccused.
• Prosecution iand idefense ievidence: iIn isummons icase, ithe iprocedure
ifollowed iis ivery isimple iand ielaborate iprocedures iare ieliminated. iIf ithe
iaccused idoes inot iplead iguilty, ithen ithe iprocess iof itrial istarts. iThe
iprosecution iand ithe idefense iare iasked ito ipresent ievidence iin isupport iof
itheir icases. iThe iMagistrate iis ialso iempowered ito itake ithe istatement iof ithe
iaccused.
• Judgement: iWhen ithe isentence iis ipronounced iin ia isummons icase, ithe
iparties ineed inot iargue ion ithe iamount iof ipunishment igiven. iThe isentence
iis ithe isole idiscretion iof ithe ijudge. iIf ithe iaccused iis iacquitted, ithe
iprosecution ihas ithe iright ito iappeal. iThis iright ito iappeal iis ialso iextended
ito ithe iaccused.

Summary iTrial:

Cases iwhich igenerally itake ionly ione ior itwo ihearings ito idecide ithe imatter icomes
iunder ithis icategory. iThe isummary itrials iare ireserved ifor ismall ioffenses ito ireduce
ithe iburden ion icourts iand ito isave itime iand imoney. iThose icases iin iwhich ian ioffense
iis ipunishable iwith ian iimprisonment iof inot imore ithan isix imonths ican ibe itried iin ia
isummary iway. iThe ipoint iworth inoting iis ithat, iif ithe icase iis ibeing itried iin ia
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isummary iway, ia iperson icannot ibe iawarded ia ipunishment iof iimprisonment ifor imore
ithan ithree imonths.

The itrial iprocedure iis iprovided ifrom iSection i260 ito iSection i265 iof ithe iCode iof
iCriminal iProcedure.

Stages iof iCriminal iTrial iin iSummary iCases

• The iprocedure ifollowed iin ithe isummary itrial iis isimilar ito isummons-case.
• Imprisonment iup ito ithree imonths ican ibe ipassed.
• In ithe ijudgement iof ia isummary itrial, ithe ijudge ishould irecord ithe isubstance
iof ithe ievidence iand ia ibrief istatement iof ithe ifinding iof ithe icourt iwith
ireasons.

Case iAnalysis

SAT iPAL iSADHU iVS iSTATE iOF iHARYANA

Identification: i iSupreme icourt iof iIndia

Facts iof ithe iCase: i1Kuldip iSingh. i-Sat iPal ialias iSadhu, ithe ipetitioner, ihas
ichallenged ihis icontinued idetention iin ijail iand iis iseeking ian iorder iin ithe inature iof
ihabeas icorpus iclaiming ithat ihe ihas iserved imore ithan ithe imaximum isentence iof
iimprisonment iprescribed iunder ilaw iand ishould, itherefore,be ireleased.The ipetitioner
iwas iarrested ion iMarch i27,1978 iin ia icase iregistered iunder iSection i302 iIndian iPenal
iCode. iHe iwas iconvicted ion iAugust i16,1978 iand iwas isentenced ito iundergo
iimprisonment ifor ilife. iAccording ito ithe ipetitioner ihe ihas iundergone iabout i13 iyears
iand isix imonths' iactual iimprisonment iand itotal iperiod iof iimprisonment iincluding
iremissions icomes ito imore ithan i17 iyears. iAdmittedly ihis isentence ihas inot ibeen
iremitted ifully inor icommuted ifor iimprisonment ifor ia iterm inot iexceeding i14 iyears

1
i1993 iAIR i1218, i1992 iSCR i(3) i898
 16

ieither iunder iSection i55 iIndian iPenal iCode ior iunder iSection i433(b)Code iof iCriminal
iProcedure,1973 iby ithe iappropriate igovernment.However, ithe ipetitioner's icase iis ithat i
ihe ihas iundergone imore ithan i14 iyears i‘sentence iincluding iremissions iand isince ithe
isaid isentence iwas igot iexecuted iin ijail icustody iin ithe iform iof irigorous
iimprisonment, ithe igovernment imust ibe ideemed ito ihave icommuted ihis isentence ito i
i14 iyears ieither iunder iSection i55 iIndian iPenal iCode ior iSection i433(b)Code iof
iCriminal iProcedure,1973 inotwithstanding ithat ino iformal iorder iin ithat ibehalf iwas
imade iby ithe iState iGovernment iand ias isuch ihis icontinued idetention iin ijail iis iillegal
iand ihe iis ientitled ito ibe ireleased iforthwith.

Procedural iHistory: iSupreme icourt iof iIndia iBench iKuldip iSingh

Issues iBefore ithe iSupreme iCourt iof iIndia: i

(1) Whether ithe ipetitioner ican iclaim ithe iRelease iwhere ihe iserved imore ithan i14
iyears iof ilife iimprisonment i
(2) Whether ithe ipetitioner idetention iin ijail iis iillegal ior inot? iAnd ihe iis ientitled ito
ibe ireleased iforthwith ior inot?
(3) Is iSentence iExecuted iin iJail icustody iin ithe iform iof irigorous iimprisonment
ivalid?

iEvaluation:

Contention iof ithe ipetitioner:

2
1) Imprisonment ifor ilife’s ione iof ithe ipunishments iwas isubstituted ifor
i‘transportation ifor ilife i‘in iSection i53 iof itheIndian iPenal iCode iby iAmending
iAct i26 iof i1955. iNo icorresponding iamendment ihas ibeen imade iin ithe iCode
iofCriminal iProcedure, i1973 iand ithere iis ino iprovision iunder ithe iCode ifor ithe
iexecution iof ithe isentence iof i‘imprisonment
for ilife'. iIn ithe iabsence iof iany iprovision ifor iexecuting ithe isentence iof
i‘imprisonment ifor ilife i‘in ithe iCode iof iCivilProcedure ithe idetention iof ilife
iconvicts iin iprison iis iunlawful iand iillegal iand ias isuch ithe igovernment, iin

2
i1993 iAIR i1218, i1992 iSCR i(3) i898
 17

iorder ito ilegalisedetention, ihas inecessarily ito icommute ilife isentence iunder
iSection i55 iIndian iPenal iCode ior iSection i433.
2) Codeof iCriminal iProcedure, i1973 ito ione iof irigorous iimprisonment, iwhich
iunder ithe isaid iprovisions icannot ilegally iexceeda iterm iof i14 iyears. iThe
ipetitioner ihaving icompleted i14 iyears, ihe iis ientitled ito ibe ireleased.convicts ito
ibe idealt iwith ias ia iprisoner isentenced ito irigorous iimprisonment imust ibe
ideemed ito ihave icommutedsentence iof iimprisonment ifor ilife ito ia isentence iof
irigorous iimprisonment iunder iSection i55 iIndian ipenal iCode iorSection i433 i(b)
iCode iof iCriminal iProcedure, i1973for ia iterm inot iexceeding i14years.

3) The iarguments iadvanced iby ithe ilearned icounsel istand iconcluded iagainst ihim
iby ithe ijudgment iof ithis iCourt iin iNaib iSingh iv. iStat iof iPunjab i1983 i2 iSCC
i454. iIn ithe isaid icase iNaib iSingh ichallenged ihis icontinued idetention iin ijail
ion ithe
following igrounds: i(SCC iHeadnote)
4) In iregard ito ithe isentence iof ilife iimprisonment ithe iplace iwhere iit ihas ito
ibe iexecuted ior icarried iout ihas ito ibe iappointed iunder iSection i32 iof ithe
iPrisoners iAct, iand isince ithe isentence iof i'imprisonment ifor ilife' ilike ithe
isentence iof i'transportation iof i(sic ifor) ilife' icould ibe iexecuted ionly iby
iway iof ibanishment ior iexile iby ithe iconvict ibeing i'removed ito ithe iplace
ior iplaces' irequired ito ibe iappointed iby ithe iState iGovernment iSection i32
iof ithe iPrisoners ithe iexecuting iauthorities iwere iobliged ito i'execute' ior
i'carry iout' ithe isaid isentence iin ijail iindirectly iby iway iof icommuting iit
ifor iimprisonment iof ieither idescription ifor ia iterm inot iexceeding i14 iyears
iunder iSection i55, iIPC ior i, i1973. iIn iother iwords, iin ithe iabsence iof iany
iproper iauthority iof ilaw iwarranting ithe idetention iand iSection i433(b),
iCrPC iexecution iof ithe isentence iof isuch ilife iconvict iin ijail, ihis idetention
iin isuch ijail icustody iwill ihave ito ibe iregarded ias iillegal iand iunlawful.
5) ) iNature iof isentence iof ilife iimprisonment iis iundefined iand iit iis inot
inecessarily irigorous; ibut ibecause ithe ipetitioner iwas imade ito iundergo ihis
isentence iof ilife iimprisonment iin ijail iand ithat itoo iin irigorous imanner ifor
imore ithan i1 i4 iyears i(inclusive iof iremissions) ihis isentence ishould ibe
ideemed ito ihave ibeen icommuted iby ithe iState iGovernment ieither iunder
 18

iSection i55, iIPC ior iSection i1973 iwithout ia iformal iorder iin ithat ibehalf
iand ihe ibe ireleased iforthwith.

Contentions iof ithe iRespondent:

1) CrPC ithis iCourt irejected iboth ithe icontentions iand idismissed ithe ipetition.
iV.D iTulzapurkar, iJ. ispeaking ifor ithe iCourt iheld ia iInder: i(SCC iHeadnote)
iSection i32 iof ithe iPrisoners ia isentence iof itransportation ieither ifor ia iterm
ior ifor ilife icould ibe iand ia isentence iof ilife iimprisonment ican ibe imade
iexecutable iin ilocal ijails iby iconstituting isuch ijails ias ithe i'places' iwithin
ithe imeaning iof iSection i32 iunder iorders iof ithe iState iGovernments. iApart
ifrom iSection i32 iof ithe iPrisoners iAct, iSection i383 iof, i1973 ialso icontain
ithe inecessary ilegal iauthority iand ipower iunder iwhich ia iCrPC iand iSection
iCrPC iof ilife iimprisonment ican ibe imade iexecutable iin ilocal ijails iby
iconstituting isuch ijails ias ithe i'places' iwithin ithe imeaning iof iSection i32
iunder iorders iof ithe iState iGovernments. iApart ifrom iSection i32 iof ithe
iPrisoners iAct, iSection i383 iof, i1973 ialso icontain ithe inecessary ilegal
iauthority iand ipower iunder iwhich ia iCrPC iand iSection iCrPC icriminal
icourt ican iby iissuing ia iwarrant idirect ithe iexecution ior icarrying iout iof ia
isentence iof ilife iimprisonment iin ilocal ijails.
2) Ever isince ithe isentence iof itransportation ieither ifor ia iterm ior ifor ilife
ibecame iexecutable iin ijails iwithin ithe icountry iand ithe isame iposition imust
iobtain iin iregard ito ipersons isentenced ito iimprisonment ifor ilife ion iand
iafter iJanuary i1, i1956 iin iview iof iSection iIPC iinserted iby ithe iAmending
iAct i26 iof i1955. iThe inature iof ipunishment irequired ito ibe isuffered iunder
ia isentence iof i'imprisonment ifor ilife' iawardable ion iand iafter iJanuary i1,
i1956 iis irigorous iimprisonment. iEarlier ithe isentence iof itransportation
ieither ifor ilife ior ifor ia iterm imeant irigorous iimprisonment iin ithe isense iof
iexaction iof ihard ilabour ifrom ithe iconvict. iSince iunder isection i53-a(2)
itransportation ifor ia iterm ihas ibeen iequated ito irigorous iimprisonment ifor
ithe isame iterm, iby inecessary iimplication ithe isentence iof i'transportation ifor
ilife' i, inow isubstituted iby i'imprisonment ifor ilife' iby isection i), iwhich iis
iawardable ifor imore iserious, ior imore igrave ior imore iheinous icrimes imust
 19

imean irigorous iimprisonment ifor ilife, ithat iis ito isay iit icannot ibe ianything
ibut irigorous.
3) iIt iis inot inecessary ithat iwhile ipassing ithe isentence iof iimprisonment ifor
ilife ia icriminal icourt ishould ikeep iin iview ithe iprovisions isection i60, iipc
iand ichoose ione ior ithe iother iform iso ias ito iclarify ithe iexact inature iof
ipunishment iintended ito ibe iinflicted ion ithe iaccused. iA idistinction ibetween
i'imprisonment ifor ilife' iand i'imprisonment ifor ia iterm' ihas ibeen imaintained
iin ithe iPenal iCode iin iseveral iof iits iprovisions. iMoreover, iwhenever ian
ioffender iis ipunishable iwith i'imprisonment ifor ilife' ihe iis inot ipunishable
iwith i'imprisonment iwhich imay ibe iof ieither idescription' iwithin ithe
imeaning iof iSection iand itherefore, isection iwould ibe iinapplicable.

JUDGEMENT:

3
It iis inot idisputed iby ithe ilearned icounsel ifor ithe ipetitioner ithat ithe
ijudgment iin iNaib iSingh icase iis ia icomplete ianswer ito ihis iarguments ibut
ihe ihas ivehemently iargued ithat ithe isaid ijudgment ineeds ireconsideration iby
ia ilarger iBench. iThe ilearned icounsel ialso imade ian iattempt ito ichallenge
ithe icorrectness iof ithe iPrivy iCouncil ijudgment iin iKishori iLal iv. iEmperor
iAIR i1945 iPC i64 iand iof ithis iCourt iin iGopal iVinayak iGodse iv. iState iof
iMaharashtra i1961 i3 iSCR i440. iBoth ithese ijudgments ihave ibeen irelied
iupon iby ithis iCourt iin iNaib iSingh icase. i5. iWe ihave icarefully iread ithe
ijudgment iof ithis iCourt iin iNaib iSingh icase iand ihave igiven iour ithoughtful
iconsideration ito ithe ipoints idealt iwith iand idecided itherein. iWe irespectfully
iagree iwith ithe ireasoning iand ithe iconclusions ireached iby ithis iCourt iin
ithe isaid ijudgment. iWe isee ino ijustification iwhatsoever ito irefer ithe ipoints
idecided iin iNaib iSingh icase ito ia ilarger iBench. iWe, itherefore, idismiss ithe
iwrit ipetition.

KUNDAN iLAL iVS iEMPEROR i1931

JUDGMENT iMears, iC.J.

3
i1993 iAIR i1218, i1992 iSCR i(3) i898
 20

1. i4Kundal iLal iapplies iin irevision iagainst ian iorder iof iMr. iBadhwar iwho ion i2nd
iApril i1929, ideclared iKundan iLal ito ibe ia itout. iIt iappears ithat ithe iBar iAssociation
iof iDehra iDun iappointed ian ienquiry icommittee iand ieventually ipassed ia iresolution
igiving ithe inames iof iseven ipersons iwho iwere iasserted ito ibe itouts. iWe inote ifrom
ithe iresolution iwhich iwas. ieventually isubmitted ito iMr. iAnsari iand iconsidered iby
ihim, ithat itwo imembers iof ithe iassociation ivoted iin ifavour iof iKundan iLal ion ithe
iground ithat ihe iwas inot ia itout ibut i18 ivoted iagainst ihim. iWhen ithe imatter icame iup
ibefore iMr. iAnsari, iKundan iLal icalled icertain iwitnesses ias i"to icharacter, iwhose
ievidence icannot ihave ibeen ibelieved iby iMr. iAnsari inor iby iMr. iBadhwar iwhen ithis
imatter icame ibefore ithe ilatter iJudge. iIt itranspired ithat ibetween i1923 iand i1926
iKandan iLal ihad ibeen iin itrouble iover ian iembezzlement iof imoneys ibelonging ito ithe
iclient iof ia ilawyer iand ihe ihad ialso ibeen isentenced ito ieight imonths' i

imprisonment, iapparently ifor iabduction. iThose itwo imatters iwere idiscussed iby iMr.
iAnsari iwho iregarded iKundan iLal ias ian iundesirable iperson. iThat imay ibe itrue, ihe
imay ibe ia idishonest, iundesirable iperson, ibut iit idid inot icarry ithe iquestion iof iwhether
iho iwas, iin ifact, ia itout iany ifurther. iThe iconvictions imay ihave iclouded iboth ithe
ijudgments iof iMr. iAnsari iand iMr. iBadhwar.

2. iAnother iground iof icomplaint itaken iis ithat ia iwitness, iGajpat iSaran, iwas icalled,
iwho ispoke ito iconversations iheld iwith iKundan iLal isix iyears ibefore, ii. ie., ias ifar
iback ias i1923. iThe ievidence iis irather ivague ibut ino idoubt iwas iintended ito iconvey
ito ithe imind iof ithe iJudge ithat iKundan iLal iwas ihoping ito ihave imade itouting
iarrangements iwith iGajpat iSaran. iThe icomplaint iof iKundan iLal iis ithat ithat ievidence
iwas ireceived ilast iof iall iand iafter ihe ihad igiven ievidence iand ihe iwanted ito irebut
iand, iin ifact, idestroy ithe ievidence iby iproving ifrom ithe irecords iof ithe icriminal icases
ithat ihe ihad inot ibeen iin iDehra iDun iat ithe itime ispoken ito iby iMr. iGajpat iSaran.
iMr. iGajpat iSaran iwas, iin ifact, ivery ivague ias ito ithe idate iof ithe iinterview. iWe ihave
iallowed icounsel iconsiderable ilatitute iin ithis imatter, ibut iit iseems ito ius ithat iit iwould
inot ihave ibeen iof iadvantage ito iKundan iLal ito icall ifor ithe irecord. iAll ithat iit iwould
ihave iproved iwould ihave ibeen ithat iKandan iLal iwas inot iat iDehra iDun iat icertain
imonths iin ithe iyear i1923. iIt iwould iby ino imeans iexclude ithe ipossibility iof ihis
ihaving ibeen ithere iin ithe iearly ipart iof ithe iyear ior iin ithe ifirst ihalf iof ithe iyear.

4
iAIR i1931 iAll i315
 21

iMoreover, iin ithe iapplication ito isummon ithis irecord iKundan iLal idid inot isay, ias iany
iman iwould ihave isaid, ithat ihe ihad inever iat iany itime iin ihis ilife ihad ian iinterview
iwith iMr. iGajpat iSaran isuch ias iGajpat iSaran iwas ifastening ion ito ihim. iWe itherefore
ithink ithat ialthough ithere imay ihave ibeen ian iirregularity iin ithat imatter iit iwas inot
isuch ian iirregularity iwhich iin ifact ioperated ito ithe idetriment iof iKundan iLal. iThe ireal
idifficulty iin iKundal iLal's iway iare ithe iprovisions iof iSection i36, iAct i18 iof i1879
iand ithe iamendment iwhich iwas imade iby iAct i15 iof i1926. iSection i36 i(a) igives ito
ivarious iCourts ipower ito ipublish ilists iof ipersons iproved ito itheir isatisfaction iby
ievidence iof igeneral irepute ior iotherwise ihabitually ito iact ias itouts.

3. i5Now, iprior ito i1926 ithe ionly iway iin iwhich ione icould iget ievidence iof igeneral
irepute iwas iby iputting iwitnesses iinto ithe ibox iwho iwould ispeak ias ito iwhat ithey
ibelieved ito ibe ithe igeneral irepute iof ian ialleged itout. iBut iafter ithe iamendment iof
iAct i18 iof i1879 iby iAct i15 iof i1926 ia iBar iAssociation ihad ithe ipower ito ipass ia
iresolution iby ia imajority iof itheir imembers iat ia imeeting ispecially iconvened ifor ithe
ipurpose ito ideclare icertain ipersons ias itouts iand ion ithat ideclaration ibeing iduly imade
iand iit ibeing iduly iproved ithat ithat iresolution' ihad ibeen ipassed, iany iCourt icould
iaccept ithat ifinding ias ievidence iof igeneral irepute, iwhich iis ithe iphrase iused iin
iSection i36 iof ithe iAct iof i1879. iThe ipractical iresult itherefore iis ithat inowadays
iwhilst ia iCourt ican istill iproceed iunder iSection i36 iin ithe iold iway iand icall ievidence
iit ican ialso iavoid ithe icalling iof ithese iwitnesses ionce ia iresolution iis ipresented ito' iit
iwhich isatisfies ithe irequirements iof iAct i15 iof i1926, ithat iis ito isay, ithe iCourt
iaccepts ithat ithe iresolution idoes iprove ithat ia iperson iwhose iconduct ihas ibeen
ienquired iinto iby ithem iis ia itout iby ievidence iof igeneral irepute. iTherefore ithere
ibeing iin ithis icase ia iresolution iof ithat icharacter, iboth iMr. iAnsari iand iMr. iBadhwar
ihad ia ilegal ifoundation iupon iwhich ito iproceed, iand iunsatisfactory ias iwas ithe
ievidence iof iGajpat iSaran, inevertheless, iin iour iopinion, iwe ihave ino ipower ito isay
ithat ion ia irevisional iapplication iof ithis ikind ithe iorder iof iMr. iBadhwar imust ibe iset
iaside. iMr. iAnsari iand iMr. iBadhwar iboth iacted iand igave ieffect ito ithe iresolution iand
ithere iwas ino ievidence icalled iin irebuttal iby iKundan iLal iwhich iwas ibelieved iby ithe
ilower iCourt ior iby iMr. iBadhwar ias isweeping iaway ithe ilegal ieffect iof ithe iresolution.

5
iAIR i1931 iAll i315
 22

iThis iapplication iin irevision iis itherefore idismissed iwith icosts iand ifees ion ithe ihigher
iscale.

CONCLUSION:

Execution iof isentence iof iimprisonment iis idefined iunder isection i418 iof icriminal
iprocedure icode iand isays iwhere ithe iaccused iis isentenced ito iimprisonment ifor ilife
ior ito iimprisonment ifor ia iterm iin icases iother ithan ithose iwho iprovided ifor iby
isection i413 iand ithe icourt ipassing ithe isentence ishall iforthwith iforward ia iwarrant ito
ithe ijail ior iother iplace iin iwhich ihe iis iconfined iunless ithe iaccused iis ialready
iconfined iin isuch ijail ior iother iplace i, ishall iforward ihim ito ijail ior iother iplaces iwith
ithe iwarrant iprovided ithat iwere ithe iaccused iis isentenced ito iimprisonment itill ithe
irising iof ithe icourt, iit ishall inot ibe inecessary ito iprepare ior iforward ia iwarrant ito ia
ijail, iand ithe iaccused imay ibe iconfined iin isuch iplaces ias ithe icourt imay idirect. iAnd
ialso iwhere ithe iaccused iis inot ipresent iin icourt iwhen ihe iis isentenced ito isuch
iimprisonment ias iis imentioned iin isub-section i(1), ithe icourt ishall iissue ia iwarrant ifor
ihis iarrest ifor ithe ipurpose iof iforwarding ihim ito ithe ijail ior iother iplace iin iwhich ihe
iis ito ibe iconfined iand iin isuch icase i, ithe isentence ishall icommence ion ithe idate iof
ihis iarrest. iAnd ialso, ithe iproviso ito isub i(1) iis iapplicable ito ia icase iwhere ithe icourt
ipasses ia isentence iof iimprisonment itill ithe irising iof ithe icourt. iEven iin ithe iabsence
iof ithis iproviso, ithe icourts idetained ipersons, iso isentenced, iin icourt ipremises iwithout
ipreparing iany iwarrant iand isentence iof iimprisonment imust ibe imade ito ioperate ifrom
ithe idate iof iconviction iand inot ifrom ia idate iprior ito ithe idate ion iwhich ithe isentence
iis ipassed. iWhere itherefore ithe imagistrate iordered ithat ithe iperiod ialready iundergone
iin icustody iduring itrail ibe icounted itowards isentence, iit iwas iheld ithat iorder iwas
iillegal. i

WEBSITES:

1. https://www.indiankanoon.org
2. www.lawyerservice.in
 23

3. www.casemine.com
4. www.manupatra.com
5. www.scconline.com