New Delhi: A man, accused of trying to kill his eight-year-old son by slitting his throat in 2013, has been awarded 18-month jail term by a Delhi court which took a lenient view saying he has "no previous criminal record and is not a habitual criminal".
Special Judge Shail Jain said that "ends of justice will meet" if Delhi resident, Sanjay, is sentenced to 18 months in jail, the period already undergone by him in judicial custody for the offence. It also imposed a fine of Rs 2000.
According to the prosecution, on August 8, 2013, Sanjay had caught hold of his minor son and inflicted grievous injuries on his neck with a shaving blade. He later consumed acid to commit suicide.
"Considering the fact that Sanjay is not involved in any other case and family circumstances of convict, coupled with the fact that he has no previous criminal record and nor is a habitual criminal, I am of the opinion that ends of justice would be served by sentencing him to 18 months(for the period already undergone by him) rigorous imprisonment under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC," the judge said.
Earlier, on February 11, the court had held Sanjay guilty for the offence under section 307, saying it is of the opinion that "prosecution has been successful in proving its case beyond reasonable doubt that accused had attempted to kill his son by inflicting injuries with blade on his neck."
It relied on the testimonies of the victim and the landlord of the house saying "it is highly impossible that a child of eight years will depose against his father falsely, without any reason."
The court, however, acquitted Sanjay of the charges of attempt to commit suicide saying prosecution has failed to prove the charge as stomach-wash of accused was not sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for testing.
