JAGROOP SINGH @ PAPPU Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant was tried for committing offence punishable under section 25 of the Arms Act with the allegations that on 25.7.2002, when he was apprehended by the police, one.303 bore country-made pistol and four live cartridges of the same bore were recovered from his possession. Vide judgment and order dated 14/15.9.2005, learned Additional Sessions Judge, Moga, convicted him for the aforementioned offence and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of three years and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/- and in default of payment of fine, to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of one month. The fine amount was deposited by him there and then.

(2.) Aggrieved of his conviction and sentence, the appellant filed the present appeal, which was admitted on 4.10.2005.

(3.) Learned counsel for the appellant has not challenged the impugned judgment of conviction passed by the learned trial Court. However, it is submitted that the appellant is facing the agony of criminal prosecution for the last more than fifteen years. He is the sole bread winner of his family consisting of wife, one child and old parents. He has already undergone a sentence of about nine months out of the sentence of three years imposed upon him. Prayer has, accordingly, been made for taking a lenient view in the matter of his sentence of imprisonment.