In busy cities such as Delhi, people do not have the time to become witnesses in police cases, a Delhi court observed while sentencing woman for being in possession of illicit liquor and trying to smuggle it into Delhi from Haryana.
The court, while convicting the lady, said that nobody is ready to spare even a little time to help the police in the investigation process.
Sapna was found carrying one plastic gunny bag containing 50 quarter bottles of illicit liquor without any license or permit when she was arrested by the Delhi police in 2006. Sapna was booked under Section 61 (1) of the Punjab Excise Act. However, the accused pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, defence counsel argued that no public witness has confirmed police’s allegations and hence Sapna’s guilt cannot be established. Metropolitan magistrate Naresh Kumar Laka, however, said, ‘Nowadays, in busy cities such as Delhi, nobody agrees to become a witness in police cases.’
The court also added that it had no doubt that the area from where illicit liquor was recovered was a residential one, but it is also not oblivious to the fact that no neighbour likes to become a witness to the misdeeds of his/her neighbour to avoid subsequent anger or confrontation.
A senior Delhi police official said that it is difficult for officers to find witnesses even in crowded and residential areas.
Nevertheless, the court sentenced the woman for 60 days taking a lenient view as she is a single mother and the sole bread winner for three of her children.
The court, while convicting the lady, said that nobody is ready to spare even a little time to help the police in the investigation process.
Sapna was found carrying one plastic gunny bag containing 50 quarter bottles of illicit liquor without any license or permit when she was arrested by the Delhi police in 2006. Sapna was booked under Section 61 (1) of the Punjab Excise Act. However, the accused pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, defence counsel argued that no public witness has confirmed police’s allegations and hence Sapna’s guilt cannot be established. Metropolitan magistrate Naresh Kumar Laka, however, said, ‘Nowadays, in busy cities such as Delhi, nobody agrees to become a witness in police cases.’
The court also added that it had no doubt that the area from where illicit liquor was recovered was a residential one, but it is also not oblivious to the fact that no neighbour likes to become a witness to the misdeeds of his/her neighbour to avoid subsequent anger or confrontation.
A senior Delhi police official said that it is difficult for officers to find witnesses even in crowded and residential areas.
Nevertheless, the court sentenced the woman for 60 days taking a lenient view as she is a single mother and the sole bread winner for three of her children.