In an unusual punishment, a former DSP and a constable of Punjab Police have been sentenced to 35 years each by the Supreme Court for abducting seven persons of a family in 1991 when terrorism was at its peak in the State.
Though the court set aside the conviction of then DSP Baldev Singh and constable Balwinder Singh for the offence of conspiracy and murder of the seven abducted, they were held guilty for trespass and abduction for which they were awarded five years term for each abductions.
The court said the five year term for abducting seven persons will run consequently, thus, making it a total of 35 years.
“But so far as the sentence and fine under Section 364 of the IPC is concerned, we find from illustration (h) under Section 220 of the CrPC that where an accused commits the same offence against three persons, then he can be charged with three offences.