STATE OF M.P. vs MULLI

The Supreme Court held that the High Court's reduction of the sentence under Section 376 IPC was illegal as it did not provide adequate and special reasons for deviating from the statutory minimum of 7 years imprisonment. The Court emphasized that the High Court's judgment was cryptic and failed to consider the evidence properly, violating the procedural requirements under Sections 384, 385, and 386 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Consequently, the Supreme Court restored the original sentence imposed by the trial court, emphasizing the need for adherence to statutory sentencing norms.