HC releases 9 persons on probation for over 27-yr-long trial

Prolonged trial of over 27 years prompted the Delhi High Court to release on probation nine persons, including three government employees, convicted by a trial court for grievously injuring one person and also hurting four others in 1985.
Justice S P Garg released the nine men on probation for an year on a personal bond of Rs 10,000 and a surety of like amount while asking them to "keep peace and be of good behaviour".
The court also directed each of them to deposit in the trial court Rs 25,000 and ordered Rs 1 lakh of the total amount to be paid to the victim who sustained grievous injuries.

The remaining amount would be disbursed in equal proportions to four other victims who were injured and in case they are not available, the money would be distributed to their legal heirs, the bench said.
"Apparently, the appellants have suffered ordeal of trial/ appeal for more than 27 years. They also remained in custody for some duration at the initial stage of investigation," the bench said while also noting that the prosecution had failed to furnish report on the antecedents of the convicts despite repeated opportunities.
"Interest of justice would be served if the appellants are granted probation and at the same time compensate the injured persons," it said.

The prosecution case was that 14 men, including one employee each from Delhi government's education department, DTC and MCD, had grievously injured a man named Raghubir Singh and injured four others on October 29, 1985. They were arrested and sent for trial during which two of them died. Two accused who were released on probation by the trial court also died while one died during the pendency of appeal.
The remaining who were sentenced to one year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,500 came in appeal before the high court. During the hearing of appeal, they gave up challenge to conviction and only contested the punishment.