New Delhi: Inspired by scriptures that
"forgiveness is the best punishment", a Delhi court has waived
10-day jail term of a youth for drunken driving and directed
him to do social and religious service at the Jama Masjid in
the walled city here.
"While dealing with petty cases such as the present one,
wherever it is felt necessary, the principle contained in
almost all the religious scriptures that `forgiveness is the
best punishment` should be invoked. Doesn`t each religion
teach us forgiveness and compassion?," Additional Sessions
Judge (ASJ) Virender Bhat said.
The court`s remarks came while setting aside the jail
term given by a magistrate to walled-city resident Salman, 20,
who was convicted for driving in an inebriated state.
Salman was caught driving a vehicle under the influence
of liquor and the alcohol content in his blood was found to be
227 mg/100 ml against the maximum permissible limit of 30 mg/
100 ml. He was also fined Rs 3,000 besides the jail term.
The sessions court, while waiving the sentence, has
directed Salman to do service at Jama Masjid every Friday
from 12 noon to 6 pm for two months.
"The appellant (Salman) is released on probation subject
to furnishing a personal bond with one surety to be of good
behaviour for one year from today. He shall also do service in
Main Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Delhi, every Friday from 12
noon to 6 pm for two months.
"He shall file a certificate in this regard from the
Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid after the completion of the
period of two months," the ASJ said.
PTI
