Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Ravindra Bhatt and Justice Arvind Kumar, has modified the sentence of a petitioner convicted under sections 8(c) and 22(c) of the NDPS Act. The petitioner, who had initially been sentenced to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs. 1,50,000, saw a reduction in their sentence to 10 years.

The case, which had undergone trial and subsequent affirmation by the Rajasthan High Court, drew the attention of legal experts due to the quantum of punishment imposed. The Supreme Court's decision comes as a response to what they perceived as a lack of reasoning behind the original sentence, which fell between the statutory minimum and maximum.

Highlighting the meticulous consideration of all available materials on record, the apex court recognized that 10 years is the stipulated minimum sentence under section 22(c) of the NDPS Act. The reduction in sentence not only adheres to the legislative intent but also underscores the importance of well-founded judicial reasoning.

Mr. H. D. Thanvi and Mr. Nikhil Kumar Singh, advocates for the petitioner, argued their case compellingly, leading to this favorable outcome. This decision sparks discussions around the need for consistent and transparent sentencing in accordance with the law's letter and spirit.

The verdict serves as a reminder that judicial decisions must be well-grounded and reflective of both the severity of the offense and the principles of justice. With this modification, the Supreme Court sets a precedent that could potentially influence future sentencing in NDPS cases and beyond."

Case Title: PAWAN KUMAR versus STATE OF RAJASTHAN