Date:- 08.09.2025
Case:- SOHAN SINGH @ BABLU v STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH
Citation:- Special Leave Petition (Criminal) – 11244/2025
Hon’ble Supreme Court Bench:- JUSTICE J.B. PARDIWALA & JUSTICE K.V. VISWANATHAN
The Hon’ble Supreme Court directed the State of Madhya Pradesh to pay compensation of Rs. 25 lakhs to a convict who had to remain in jail for more than 4.7 years than his actual sentence.
- The man was originally convicted in 2004 by a Sessions Court in Madhya Pradesh for offences under Sections 376(1), 450 and 560B of IPC and was sentenced to life imprisonment and with Rs. 2,000 fine.
- In 2007, the Hon’ble Madhya Pradesh High Court partly allowed his appeal and reduced the sentence to 7 years.
- However, due to lapses by the State, the convict was released only in June 2023, after spending over 12 years in jail, which means he spent much more time than the 7 year sentence.
- Initially, the Hon’ble Supreme Court noted he had suffered 8 extra years of jail, but the State later clarified that he had been on bail for some period.
- After corrections, it was confirmed that he had spent 4.7 years of extra incarceration beyond his 7 year sentence.
- The Hon’ble Court criticized the State for filing “misleading affidavits” and held it responsible for this serious lapse. The Hon’ble Court then ordered Rs. 25 lakh compensation to the convict for the unlawful detention.
- The Hon’ble Supreme Court also directed the Madhya Pradesh Legal Services Authority to investigate and find other similarly placed prisoners who may have suffered extra incarceration.
