The Supreme Court has ruled that it is mandatory to seek the opinion of the presiding judge or court before deciding a remission plea for convicted individuals. The court emphasizes that the guidelines regarding seeking the opinion of the convicting court must be strictly followed. It rejects the Gujarat government’s plea that the trial court’s opinion is optional. The bench also highlights factors that should be considered when deciding a remission plea, including the impact on society, potential for future crimes, and socio-economic conditions of the convict’s family.