STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH vs S.R. RANGADAMAPPA

The Supreme Court held that under Section 34(a) of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, the prescribed minimum sentence must be imposed without discretion for special circumstances. The High Court's reduction of the sentence below the statutory minimum was deemed erroneous, as the Act does not allow for such exceptions. Consequently, the Supreme Court dismissed the special leave petition, affirming the necessity of adhering to the minimum sentence requirement.