Youth gets 7-yr jail term for robbing a man of Rs 700

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Ramesh Kumar sentenced Delhi resident Anil to jail term along with a fine of Rs 20,000 for the offence.

"The courts have to ensure that just punishment is awarded to the accused, if he has been found guilty of the offence. If proper punishment is not awarded to the accused, the faith of the society is shaken in the legal system of the country," the ASJ said refusing to be lenient in sentencing the guilty.

Anil's counsel had pleaded to the court to release his client on the period of detention already undergone by him and release him on probation under the provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act.

The prosecution had opposed the plea saying the offence of robbery was committed by the convict at an open public place and he deserves substantive punishment for the same.

It had said Anil on the night of October 1, 2011 had put a knife on the neck of complainant Jeetu, who was on his way to Ram Leela Maidan here and had robbed him of Rs 700 and an Airtel sim he was carrying in his pocket.

Jeetu had managed to escape and had run towards a police vehicle for help and Anil was later apprehended by the cops after a search of the area, the prosecution had said.

"The convict, Anil, is sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000, for the offences punishable under sections 392 (robbery), 394 (causing hurt in robbery), 397 (robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 411 (receiving stolen property) of IPC," the court said.