High Courts Can Correct Illegal Sentences Even Without State Appeal: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has clarified that High Courts can correct an illegal or inadequate sentence even in the absence of an appeal filed by the State.

The Court observed that appellate courts are not powerless to rectify sentencing errors merely because the prosecution has not challenged the sentence separately.

The ruling came while examining the scope of powers exercised by High Courts in criminal matters involving improper sentencing.

The Bench held that courts must ensure that punishments imposed are in accordance with law and proportionate to the offence, even where no independent State appeal for enhancement has been preferred.