New Delhi: Observing that meting out just
punishment to a convict is always a difficult and challenging
task, a Delhi court has mooted the idea of fixing a uniform
sentencing norm, akin to the one laid down by the Sentencing
Council for England.
Special CBI Judge L K Gaur felt the need for having
uniform sentencing guidelines while jailing a Delhi government
Transport Department official in a corruption case and hoped
that the Delhi High Court will take a lead on the issue.
"I would like to note, sentencing is always a challenge
and the absence of any clear guidelines makes this task still
more challenging," he said.
"I am sure at an opportune time honourable (Delhi) High
Court would surely undertake some steps for laying such
guidelines, may be just on the basis of past precedents alike
guidelines laid down by the Sentencing Council for England,"
the judge added.
The Sentencing Council of England is an independent
public body evolving sentencing guidelines and monitoring
their use by British courts.
The judge added such guidelines would "not only make the
task of sentencing a little easier but also bring some
uniformity in sentencing."
PTI
First Published: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 14:59