Budgam, May 5: In a judgment aimed at promoting civic awareness, a trial court in Budgam has sentenced a man convicted of public misconduct under the influence of drugs to community service, directing him to distribute pamphlets detailing citizens’ fundamental duties.
The order was passed by Judicial Magistrate Nazia Hassan under Section 355 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, after the accused, Riyaz Ahmad Sheikh, pleaded guilty to verbally abusing pedestrians while intoxicated in Srinagar on April 13. Medical tests confirmed he was under the influence of drugs.
Instead of imposing a fine or short imprisonment, the court ordered Sheikh to distribute 200 English-language pamphlets, provided by the court, highlighting Article 51A of the Constitution, in public spaces like markets and bus stands on May 5. He must also hand out 50 copies translated into Kashmiri and Urdu.
Calling the incident a reflection of “constitutional illiteracy,” the court emphasized that spreading awareness through community service serves a better rehabilitative and educational purpose than punitive measures.
The accused was represented by Advocate Asmat Zehra. [KNT]
