Metropolitan Magistrate Chhavi Kapoor awarded milder sentences to convicts Sazid, Javed and Aslam, all residents of Old Delhi area, showing leniency to them saying that they "appear to be first-time offenders".
The three were held guilty of robbing auto-rickshaw driver Mohd Iqbal of his watch and beating him up. They were convicted under Section 394 (robbery) of the India Penal Code, which entails up to life term or rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years.
"The convicts appear to be first time offenders," the magistrate said after convicting them, but added, "In circumstances of the case, I am not inclined to grant maximum punishment as provided under the provisions of Section 394 IPC."
"Howsoever, keeping in mind the nature and the gravity of the offence, I sentence all the convicts, Sazid, Javed and Aslam to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of six months each and pay fine of Rs 2,000 (each)," the court said.
The court also granted the trio the benefit of section 428 CrPC which provides for setting off the period of custody or detention undergone by them during the trial against the sentence of imprisonment.
In his complaint, Iqbal had said that the trio had robbed him of his watch and beaten him up on October 11, 1998 night when he had gone to Sadar Bazaar with some passengers, who were to return back and he was waiting for them. (More)