In 1994 Assault Case, Bombay HC Upholds 9 Men’s Convictions, Cuts Jail Terms To Time Served And Orders ₹1 Lakh For Two Injured Women

The appellants were tried in connection with a 23 March 1994 village dispute over the right to light the Holi bonfire.

The trial court convicted them under Sections 147, 148, 324, 325, 452 and 337 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but acquitted them of the charge under Section 307.

In their appeal, the surviving appellants did not challenge the convictions on the merits; they sought reduction of their custodial sentences, relying on their age, time already served, and absence of other criminal involvement.

Three appellants had died during the appeal.

The convictions were under Sections 147, 148, 324, 325, 452 and 337 read with Section 149 IPC, which address, respectively, rioting, rioting while armed with a deadly weapon, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, house-trespass after preparation for hurt or assault, causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety, and the liability of members of an unlawful assembly for offences committed in prosecution of its common object.

The judgment cites no precedent or express statutory provision governing sentence reduction or abatement; it considers the case-specific circumstances in modifying sentence.

The surviving appellants left the convictions unchallenged and sought relief only as to sentence.

The Court noted that the incident dated from 1994, that most of the appellants were over 60, and that they had no other criminal involvement; it also considered the record and the absence of personal enmity between the parties.

Although the State opposed reduction on the basis that four people were injured, the Court concluded that the overall circumstances justified reducing imprisonment to the period already undergone, while requiring compensation to two injured persons.

As to appellants 2–4 and 7–12, it was partly allowed: their convictions were confirmed, but their imprisonment was reduced to the period already undergone.

They were directed to pay Rs. 1,00,000 in compensation to Smt. Kusum Shantaram Meher and Smt. Damayanti Prakash Meher in equal shares within four weeks.

The matter was listed for compliance on 2 December 2026.