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> if I am a judge adjudicating a case for theft and I know that the defendant will be pardoned on the Eid, I might acquit or pronounce a light sentence.

Why? Wouldn't that undermine the meaning of Eid?

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Think of it more like gambling for credibility. Theft is still wrong during Ramadan, but if I know that everyone convicted of petty theft will be pardoned in a month, do I impose the standard sentence? If I do, it's spiteful judge vs. generous executive. If I give a light sentence, I steal the march on the pardon and get to be the benevolent judge.

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