Imprisonment for life – Life imprisonment under IPC
Life imprisonment means imprisonment for life. Imprisonment till the convict dies.
In the case of Bhagirath & Ors v. Delhi Administration; the Hon’ble Supreme Court observed that :
‘Imprisonment for life is imprisonment for the remainder of the natural life of the convict’.
Gopal Vinayak Godse v. The State of Maharashtra; the Hon’ble Supreme court held that:
“life imprisonment imprisons a prisoner for the rest of his life. Until or unless his sentence was commuted or remitted by the appropriate government.”
Life imprisonment under IPC is given in gravest offence e.g. murder or culpable homicide
A few crimes under IPC where life imprisonment is given:
Section 121 : Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the Government of India
Section 132 : Abetment of mutiny, if mutiny is committed in consequence thereof.
Section 194 : Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence. if innocent person be thereby convicted and executed.
Section 302 : Punishment for murder.
Section 303 : Punishment for murder by life-convict
Section 396 : Dacoity with murder.