Indian Penal Code 1860
Section 54 :
Commutation of sentence of death :
(See section 5 of BNS 2023)
In every case in which sentence of death shall have been passed, 1.[the appropriate Government] may, without the consent of the offender, commute the punishment for any other punishment provided by this Code.
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1. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for the Central Government or the Provincial Government of the Province within which the offender shall have been sentenced. The words in italics were subs. by the A.O. 1937, for the Government of India or the Government of the place.
Section 55 :
Commutation of sentence of imprisonment for life:
(See section 5 of BNS 2023)
In every case in which sentence of 1.[imprisonment] for life shall have been passed, 2.[the appropriate Government] may, without the consent of the offender, commute the punishment for imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
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1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, s. 117 and the Sch., for transportation (w.e.f. 1-1-1956).
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, “for the Provincial Government of the Province within which the offender shall have been sentenced”. The words in italics were subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “the Government of India or the Government of the place”.
Section 55A :
1.[Definition of appropriate Government:
(See section 5 of BNS 2023)
In sections 54 and 55 the expression appropriate Government means, –
(a) in cases where the sentence is a sentence of death or is for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends, the Central Government; and
(b) in cases where the sentence (whether of death or not) is for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends, the Government of the State within which the offender is sentenced.]
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1. Subs. by the A. O 1950. Earlier ins by the A. O. 1937.
Section 56 :
Sentence of Europeans and Americans to penal servitude / Proviso as to sentence for term exceeding ten years but not for life:
Repealed by the Criminal Law (Removal of Racial Discriminations) Act, 1949 (17 of1949) (w.e.f. 6.4.1949).