Synopsis
In an unprecedented ruling, a Jammu court sentenced three individuals to community service for creating public disturbances while intoxicated, marking a significant application of new criminal laws focusing on rehabilitation over punishment.Key Takeaways
- First instance of community service sentence in Jammu.
- Focus on rehabilitation with new criminal laws.
- Accused to serve at local hospitals and old age homes.
- New laws replace IPC and emphasize reform.
- Police reported increasing public disturbances due to intoxication.
Jammu, Feb 22 (NationPress) A judicial authority in Jammu and Kashmir sentenced three individuals to participate in ‘community service’ for causing public disturbance while under the influence of alcohol.
This marked the first instance of such a sentence following the introduction of three new criminal laws in India. The special mobile magistrate in Jammu mandated these individuals to undertake ‘community service’ after they were found creating a public nuisance while intoxicated.
According to the police, the three defendants were charged with public disturbance due to alcohol consumption and were sentenced to community service under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
In this unprecedented case, on February 19, Lekh Raj and Ashok Singh, both from Bajalta, were reported to be causing disturbances while intoxicated in the Sidhra region of Jammu.
During their appearance before the Special Excise Mobile Magistrate, both were instructed to carry out community service at a nearby hospital for one hour each day over a span of 10 days, as per Section 355 of the BNS.
This aspect of the new criminal laws focuses on rehabilitation and community involvement for minor infractions, promoting reform rather than punishment.
In a similar incident on February 17, Amit Mehra, a resident of Kot Garhi village, was also found creating a public disturbance while intoxicated.
He was similarly ordered to perform community service at an old age home in Akhnoor for a total of seven days, concluding on February 27.
The new criminal laws replace the colonial-era regulations enforced through the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), aiming to enhance rehabilitation and community engagement over mere punishment and financial penalties.
