Question

If a convict sentenced to life imprisonment is being considered for remission under Section 57 of the Indian Penal Code, what equivalent term of years is applied by the Court?

• A. Ten years of imprisonment
• B. Twenty years of imprisonment
• C. Forty years of imprisonment
• D. Fifty years of imprisonment

Hint:

Life imprisonment ≠ 20 years, but for remission calculations, courts treat it as 20 years.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: What Section 57 states.
Section 57 does not define life imprisonment; it only provides a conversion measure stating that life imprisonment shall be deemed equivalent to 20 years for calculating fractions of punishment.
Step 2: Judicial interpretation.
Courts have consistently held that life imprisonment means imprisonment till the last breath, but for remission calculations, 20 years is used.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, when computing remission under Section 57, the law applies a fixed equivalent of 20 years.