33-year-old trial ends with 3-month sentence

LUCKNOW: In a 33-year-old criminal case, a fast track court has finally convicted an accused with rigorous imprisonment of three months and also imposed Rs 5,000. The accused was caught, along with 10 others, while making preparation to commit dacoity. Interestingly, the trial of a co-accused in the case is still pending for final disposal.
The trauma of accused Uday Raj came to an end when he confessed to his crime.Before this, he had to run to the court for 33 years for the offence which he had just made preparations for and not actually committed. As the judge SB Pandey held him guilty under his own confession, Uday Raj requested the court to show leniency on him in awarding punishment, as he had grown as old as 65. The entire life was spoilt in facing the said trial and he had already suffered a lot due to the said case, added Raj.
Inspector, Cantonment lodged an FIR on April 18, 1977 alleging that the police party arrested 11 dacoits, on a tip off, in the night from village Loga Khera. It was said that the dacoits were planning to commit robbery at the house of one Sri Ram Yadav. The trial continued for almost 33 years. Uday Raj himself didn't attend court proceedings on three-four occasions and was ultimately issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW).
Lastly, he absconded and was arrested on October 12 this year. Since then, he has been in jail. On November 11, the accused filed an application in the court confessing his guilt. He was arrested with a lathi and also that the police party did not receive any injury in exchange of fire at the time of arrest. Considering the circumstances, the court awarded him only a three-months RI. The court added that Raj would pay 5,000 as fine and if he failed to do so, he will have to remain in jail for one more month.