8 yrs of trial, 7 days in jail & fine for having obscene book

Metropolitan Magistrate Vishal Gogne, however, set off the convict's sentence against his incarceration for a week that he had undergone after his arrest in 2004 for possession of four books.

Even after eight years of trial, East Delhi resident Babbu was eventually convicted only after he himself pleaded guilty after framing of charges against him.

The court spared him additional jail term saying it would be "imprudent" to sent him to imprisonment after he faced trial for eight years. The court, however, also imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on Babu.

"It is noted that the convict (Babbu) has faced trial for eight years for possession of only four books containing the objectionable content and is also advanced in age.

"He (Babbu) has also spent one week in custody before being released on bail. The court finds it imprudent to commit him to imprisonment. An appropriate sentence of fine should suffice," the magistrate said.

During argument on the quantum of sentence, the prosecutor said that stringent sentence should be given to the convict as it would act as a deterrent.

The counsel appearing for Babbu had opposed the arguments of the prosecutor and had said that keeping in view the age of the convict, a lenient view should be taken.