As the newly implemented criminal laws are aimed at fostering social responsibility, an individual caught for public drunkenness in Srinagar has been sentenced to community service instead of facing traditional penal action.
The Srinagar Police had filed a case before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar against Riyaz Ahmad Dar, son of Mohd Akbar Dar, a resident of Theed Harwan. He was found intoxicated in public and causing nuisance, violating Section 355 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to the News Agency—Srinagar News Observer (SNO) Taking cognizance of the incident, the Hon’ble Court ruled in favor of a rehabilitative approach. Rather than imposing a fine or imprisonment, the court directed the offender to perform three days of community service focused on cleanliness and hygiene at the Tele-consultation room of SMHS Hospital.
To ensure compliance, the Superintendent of SMHS Hospital and the Station House Officer of Police Station Batmaloo have been tasked with overseeing the service. They will submit a compliance report to the court through the legal counsel.
Officials stated that the decision aligns with the objectives of the new criminal laws, which aim to address minor offenses through reformative and restorative justice measures. This judgment is seen as a positive precedent, reinforcing the shift toward behavior correction and civic responsibility.
The initiative is expected to pave the way for a more empathetic and constructive legal approach to petty offenses in the region.—(SNO)
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