Key Facts
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has dismissed the application of two acid attack convicts seeking suspension of their 10-year prison sentence and release on bail. The division bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Ranjan Sharma observed that the offense under Section 326-A of the Indian Penal Code is extremely grave, affecting a woman's physical integrity and honor. Strict standards must be applied before suspending sentence in such serious cases.
Details of the Case
The case originates from an FIR registered in 2017 at Jwali Police Station in Kangra district. The Vakf Tribunal-cum-Sessions Court Dharamshala convicted Renuka and Mohinder Singh on November 29, 2025, sentencing them to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 each under IPC Section 326-A for acid attack.
The convicts' counsel argued that there was a delay in filing the FIR and contradictions in witness statements. However, the High Court noted that once a lower court has convicted the accused, the presumption of innocence no longer exists.
Court's Reasoning
The bench emphasized that the parameters for granting bail to an undertrial and suspending the sentence of a convict are entirely different. While suspension may be the general rule for short sentences, in heinous crimes like acid attack, not suspending the sentence is the norm. The court also noted that the convicts had served only 7 to 8 months of their 10-year sentence, making early release unjustifiable given the severity of the crime. The main appeal against the conviction is still pending.
Impact and What Readers Should Know
- The High Court's decision reinforces the stringent approach towards crimes against women, especially acid attacks.
- It clarifies that convicts cannot expect sentence suspension merely because they have served a small portion of their term.
- The ruling serves as a deterrent and upholds the dignity of victims.
FAQ
Why did the Himachal High Court refuse to suspend the sentence of acid attack convicts?
The court termed acid attack as a grave crime affecting a woman's physical integrity and dignity, and stated that suspension of sentence is not the norm in such heinous offenses.
What was the sentence given to the convicts?
Renuka and Mohinder Singh were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 each under IPC Section 326-A.
When was the sentence originally pronounced?
The Vakf Tribunal-cum-Sessions Court Dharamshala convicted them on November 29, 2025.