HC relief to students

Giving relief to two college students against the trial court's order sentencing them to five year jail-term on the charge of attempt to murder of a fellow student in 2000, the Delhi High Court has considered the time they have spent in jail as the sentence undergone.
The court, however, increased the fine imposed by the trial court on one of the accused from Rs 5,000 to 25,000.
Disposing of the appeals filed by both the accused, Justice S P Garg said "interest of justice would be met if both the appellants are sentenced for the period already undergone by them in this case. However, to compensate the victim for the injuries, fine of 5,000 is enhanced to 25,000 which shall be deposited by accused 1 only with the trial court within 15 days...."

"Perusal of the file reveals that the appellants were in custody prior to their release on bail during trial for some period. They have suffered the agony of trial for about 12 years," the court said.