HIV patient, wife get seven years jail for robbery

A Delhi court sentenced an HIV-positive man along with his wife to seven years of jail for robbery and house trespassing while rejecting any leniency on health grounds saying such crimes need to be curbed.
Additional Sessions Judge Yashwant Kumar handed down the jail term to the couple after holding them guilty for offences punishable under various sections of the IPC including 392 (robbery), 452 (house trespass) and 397 (robbery with attempt to cause death).
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 each on the convicts while rejecting the submission of the HIV-positive man for leniency.
"Nowadays, such crimes are being committed frequently which are required to be curbed, therefore, deterrent punishment is called for... No leniency is required to be taken in such matters," Judge Kumar said.

According to police, on July 11, 2011, the couple had forcibly entered the complainant's house, where the woman convict had worked earlier as a maid, and had robbed Rs 8,000 cash and a ring.
During the commission of the crime, the couple had assaulted the complainant and her family member, it said, adding, neighbours had come to the rescue of the victims after hearing their screams.

The woman was apprehended while trying to flee away, followed by the arrest of her husband on the same day.
During the trial, the couple denied all allegations levelled against them.
The court, however, convicted the couple while relying on the evidence brought before it.