In a first, drug user sentenced to community service

By Our  Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, 24 : A 24-year-old drug user, Pungsungbam Rajesh, has been sentenced to a month of community service by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West, for stealing iron rods/bars from Khwairamband Keithel.
Rajesh, currently residing at Langol Type II Aying Leikai, was convicted after a summary trial.
The convict was produced before the Court by a team of City police station with a prayer for summary trial against  him today.
The APP for the State submitted that members of SYDLO, stationed at Khwairamband Ima Keithel, reported to the City Police Station that Rajesh was caught red-handed stealing iron rods/bars from Ima Keithel Number 1.
The City Police team subsequently arrested him, following due procedures.
During interrogation the convict admitted to the charges levelled against him.
He disclosed that he spotted iron bars/rods on the first floor of Ima Keithel Number 1 and began cutting them. However, he was caught while in the act of cutting the iron rods/bars.
The APP submitted that the investigation has established prima facie evidence, sufficient for a summary trial against the convict under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Court after hearing the submission of the APP, defence counsel and on perusal of the case record sentenced the convict to do community service at Khwairamband Keithel for a month under the observation of City police.
The Court also  directed that the convict be admitted in a Government drug rehabilitation centre after the completion of the community service.