GULAB SINGH Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS revision is directed against the order of Sessions Judge, Jind, dated 17-11-90, whereby the appeal of the present petitioner filed against the order dated 18-8-1990/21-8-1990, passed by the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Safidon, convicting the present petitioner under section 9 of the Opium Act for recovery of one kilogram of opium and sentencing him to undergo RI for one year and to pay a fine of Rs. 500/- or in default of payment of fine to further undergo RI for one month, was dismissed except that his sentence was reduced from one year RI to six months RI.

(2.) THE learned counsel for the parties were heard.

(3.) TAKING into consideration the nature of recovery, antecedents and young age of the petitioner, in my opinion. It is a fit case to give benefit of Probation of Offenders Act, to the petitioner. The petitioner is accordingly directed to be released on probation of good conduct under section 4(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 for a period of one year subject to his furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs. 5,000/- with one surety of the like amount, to the satisfaction of the trial Court. The petitioner shall undertake to keep peace, be of good behaviour and shall appear before the Court as and when directed to receive sentence during the aforesaid period. The petitioner is directed to pay Rs. 500/- as costs of the proceedin. The amount of fine already paid by the petitioner (as per statement of his counsel) shall be converted towards the payment of costs. The sentence of fine is set aside in view of the authority of the apex Court in Isher Das v. The State of Punjab, AIR 1972 SC 1295.