SANTA SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB

The Supreme Court held that the trial court violated Section 235(2) of the Cr.P.C., 1973 by not providing the accused an opportunity to be heard regarding the sentence. The Court emphasized that sentencing is a critical stage in criminal justice and must consider various factors, including the nature of the offense and the offender's background. The judgment was remanded to the trial court for a proper hearing on the sentence, reinforcing the importance of the accused's right to be heard before sentencing.