Indian Penal Code,1860  - Section 304-B

Dowry death - Reduction in sentence - Expression "may" - Held that it is not mandatory for the Court in every case to award life imprisonment to the accused once he is found guilty of offence under Section 304-B IPC - Imprisonment depending upon the facts of each case - In no case it could be less than seven years and that extreme punishment of life term should be awarded in "rare cases" but not in every case - While awarding life imprisonment, the courts below did not assign any reasons - The conviction of the appellant A-1 under Sections 304-B read with Section 498-A IPC upheld -The sentence (life imprisonment) awarded to the appellant altered and accordingly, reduced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment.

Topic(s)-Dowry Death - Reduction in sentence

Important Decision(s)- That it is not mandatory for the Court in every case to award life imprisonment to the accused once he is found guilty of offence under Section 304-B IPC.