In 'reformative' move, court lets off first-time offender with just fine

New Delhi: In a refreshing judgement, a Delhi court here has sentenced a man, convicted of attempt to murder, to just pay a fine of Rs 50,000, saying that since this was a first-time offender, the court should make a decision that is "reformative" and not "retributive".

The court also considered the fact that the guilty party was subjected to one month in judicial custody and ordered that the prison sentence be considered as time served.

In the order, Special Judge Jitendra Kumar Sharma noted that the principle of the Criminal Justice Administration System is "not only to punish the criminals but to have a welfare approach so that a person who is convicted is given an opportunity to reform himself".

The convict, 34 -year-old Deepak, was booked by Delhi Police after he got into a fight with the complainant in Narela. The complainant had alleged that Deepak had started abusing him and then hit him on the head with a cold drink bottle with the intention to kill him.

The police complaint mentioned that Deepak also threatened to kill him after he attacked the complainant.

However, Deepak admitted to the charges and pleaded guilty before the court, while his lawyer, Pradeep Khatri, argued for leniency as his client needs to support his parents, younger brother, and pregnant wife.

Considering the defense's plea, the court decided, "It is also considered that the convict be given an opportunity to reform himself and to join the mainstream of society so that he may be given an opportunity to prove himself a better citizen of the nation and society."

The court added that half of the fine should be paid to the victim in the case as compensation.