Youth convicted for trying to murder friend, released by court

A Delhi court has convicted a youth for trying to murder his friend and sentenced him to five months imprisonment which he has already spent behind bars.
While releasing 21-year-old Firoz, who had assaulted his friend Salman with a knife in 2012, the court took a "lenient view" considering his young age.
"Nature and extent of injuries and the weapon used by accused (Firoz) sufficiently proves the assault was in the nature of attempt to murder.
"Accordingly, accused is liable to be convicted under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC," District and Sessions Judge J R Aryan said.

The court also took into consideration the fact that the victim, who suffered grave injuries in the attack, requested for a lenient view towards Firoz, who was arrested in May 2012 and was released on bail in October the same year during the trial.
"Though the detention period during trial appears to be too lenient for the grave offence committed by Firoz but then victim Salman himself is pleading a lenient view against him and is assuring the court that Firoz has mended his behaviour and may be, he will not commit any offence in future.

"Taking all these into consideration and in particular the young age of Firoz and the fact that he realises his fault and mistake, I find sentence of imprisonment could be restricted to period already undergone by him and a fine of Rs 10,000 will meet the ends of justice," the judge held.

While convicting the youth, the court relied on the testimony of Salman, a tailor, that when he was on his way to office he had an altercation with Firoz, a resident of north-east Delhi's Welcome area.
He told the court that Firoz then took out a knife and stabbed him, causing injuries in his abdomen and on his back.
According to the prosecution, Salman's cousin, who was nearby, rushed to the spot on hearing the victim's cries and took him to GTB hospital while the accused fled from the spot.
During the trial Firoz's counsel had claimed that Salman was in a habit of taking drugs and on the day of the incident, the victim asked money from him for buying drugs.

When Firoz refused to lend money, Salman injured himself with a knife which he was carrying and also tried to attack the accused, the defence counsel claimed.
Firoz sought leniency on the ground that he was young and should be given an opportunity to reform himself.