BALDEV SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellants under Section 376(2)(g) and Section 342 IPC for rape and wrongful confinement but reduced their sentence to the period already undergone, citing the proviso to Section 376(2)(g) due to the age of the incident and the parties' compromise. The Court emphasized that while Section 376 is a non-compoundable offence, special reasons justified a lesser sentence. Additionally, the appellants were directed to pay an enhanced fine of Rs. 50,000 to the victim, recoverable as arrears of land revenue if unpaid.