RAJ BALA vs STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS. ETC. ETC.

The Supreme Court emphasized the principle of proportionality in sentencing, asserting that punishment must not be excessively disproportionate to the crime committed. The Court held that sentencing should consider various factors such as the nature of culpability, the convict's antecedents, age, potential for reformation, and the societal impact of the crime. The judgment reiterated that judicial discretion in sentencing must be rational and based on the facts of each case, aligning with the principles established in Gopal Singh v. State of Uttarakhand and Shailesh Jasvantbhai v. State of Gujarat.