Mahesh Grover, J. - (1.) NOTICE to the Respondent.
(2.) MR . B.B.S. Teji, Sr. Deputy Advocate General, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the Respondent. Learned Counsel for the Petitioner at the outset submits that he does not wish to address this Court on merits but confines himself to the limited extent that the sentence of the Petitioner be reduced appropriately keeping in view the circumstances that just 20 Kgs. of Lahan was recovered from him and that he is facing the prosecution since 2008. He contends that the recovery of this small quantity of Lahan does not indicate that the Petitioner was manufacturing illicit liquor for profit and probably he has been utilising the same for his own consumption. It has also been stated that the Petitioner has undergone 5 months out of the total sentence of one year awarded to him.
(3.) ON due consideration of the matter and noticing the fact that the Petitioner has been facing the prosecution since 2008 and also noticing the fact that he has undergone 5 months out of the total sentence of one year awarded to him, I am of the opinion that the ends of justice would be squarely met if the sentence of the Petitioner is reduced to that of already undergone and the fine component is enhanced. I am of the opinion that imposition of fine would be an equally effective deterrent in such like cases. Accordingly, the sentence of the Petitioner is reduced to that of already undergone but the fine component is enhanced to Rs. 20,000/ - which he shall deposit before the learned trial Court within a period of four months from today. Failure to deposit the said amount of fine shall result in revival of the sentence awarded by the learned trial Court and affirmed by the Appellate Court.;