VIKRAM YADAV vs STATE GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI

Judgment text excerpt

$~ * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment reserved on: 17.05.2025 Judgment pronounced on: 11.06.2025 + W.P.(CRL) 3429/2024 & CRL.M.A. 1394/2025 VIKRAM YADAV .....Petitioner Through: Ms. Arundhati Katju, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Ali Chaudhary, Ms. Shristi Borthakur and Mr. Abuzar Ali, Advocates versus STATE GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI .....Respondent Through: Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, ASC for State with Mr. Sushant Bali, Ms. Avita Bhandari, Mr. Arjit Sharma and Mr. Nikunj Bindal, Advocates with Inspector Shrichand and SI Anil, PS Seemapuri CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE GIRISH KATHPALIA JUDGMENT GIRISH KATHPALIA, J.: Kautilya’s Arthshastra makes references to the element of reformatory policy of sentencing that later came to be known as “remission”. Release of convicted prisoners on sympathetic grounds before completion of the term of imprisonment imposed on them was significant part of the ancient Hindu jurisprudence. Kautilya advocated for periodic exercise of premature W.P.(CRL) 3429/2024 Page 1 of 22 pages GIRISH Digitally signed by GIRISH KATHPALIA Signature Not Verified KATHPALIA Date: 2025.06.11 14:57:21 +05'30' Digitally Signed By:NEETU N NAIR Signing Date:11.06.2025 15:59:09 release of prisoners, who were young or very old or ailing and those who maintained good conduct in prison. The Vth pillar edict of Delhi Topra makes reference to a statement of the emperor Asoka that he had let off prisoners 25 times during a span of 26 years. The Ist separate edict at Dhauli refers to an address by king Asoka to his judicial officers in the capital, calling them upon to ensure that not a single innocent is subjected to unnecessary pain or imprisonment. There existed a conscious and consistent thought amongst ancient thinkers, aimed at reformation of criminals in order to achi