Supreme Court Rejects Acquittal Plea in Sanjay Babu Lal Case, Upholds Conviction under IPC Sections 304B and 498A

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India upheld the conviction of Sanjay Babu Lal under Sections 304B and 498A of the Indian Penal Code. The apex court, while reviewing the case, stated, “We do not think that the appellant – Sanjay Babu Lal has made out a case for acquittal.” This statement came after a detailed examination of trial court records, including witness statements, medical reports, and crucial photographs marked as Exhibits PC to PE.

Sanjay Babu Lal, who had been serving a life sentence, sought review of his conviction for the offences, dating back to the year 2002. The Supreme Court, acknowledging the duration already served and the fact that Lal has a differently-abled son, has altered the sentence. In a compassionate move, the Court reduced Lal’s punishment from life imprisonment to “imprisonment for the period already undergone,” which amounts to approximately ten years and nine months as of October 3, 2023.

Additionally, Lal is mandated to pay a fine of Rs.10,000, with a default sentence of three months of simple imprisonment. The Court’s order ensures his immediate release upon payment of the fine, provided he is not required in any other case.

This decision, rendered by Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M. Trivedi, also maintains the sentence under Section 498A of the IPC, with both sentences to run concurrently. The Supreme Court’s decision, delivered on November 8, 2023, comes as a closure to a case spanning over two decades, balancing legal rigor with a consideration of the individual circumstances of the convict.

Date of Decision: NOVEMBER 08, 2023

SANJAY BABU LAL VS STATE OF HARYANA