Criminal's reformation serves social purpose, says Delhi court showing leniency

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court recently stated that if the society cannot reform an offender, it is punishment for the society. The court was hearing a case of forgery and criminal conspiracy in which one Abdul Hafeez pleaded guilty.The court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate Deepak Kumar in an order dated December 17, 2022 remarked that the convict has shown genuine desire to repent and must, therefore, be granted a fair opportunity for reformation, so that he can become a useful citizen of the country."The criminal's reformation serves a great social purpose and society itself becomes the greatest beneficiary of this reformation by being freed from his depredations," said the court.Hafeez, 63, is unemployed with no source of income and is now partially blind and dependent on his two sons and wife.The court sentenced him for offences under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (forgery), 258 (sale of counterfeit government stamp) to the period already undergone by him in judicial custody and Rs 30,000 fine and two months of simple imprisonment.The court explained to the accused the implication of his pleading guilty but despite that, he persisted to plead guilty. "I am satisfied that his plea of guilt is voluntary in nature and it is free from any force, fear or coercion. In the light of the said voluntary plea of guilt, there is no reason to doubt the case of the prosecution," the court said.Advocate Anwar Ahmed Khan, the counsel for the accused, submitted before the court that the convict had genuine remorse for his criminal conduct and he would not repeat the same in future. The counsel requested the court that he be given an opportunity for reformation considering his age and medical condition.Calling sentencing a "delicate act", the court stated that it cannot be oblivious of the fact that the sentence should serve a prolific purpose of serving the society at large."The penology is largely based on two cardinal principles i.e. deterrent and reformative theories. The convict has shown genuine desire to repent, therefore, he must be granted fair opportunity for reformation, so that he can become a useful citizen of the country," the court observed.