SRINAGAR: A trial court in Budgam has sentenced a man convicted of public misconduct under the influence of drugs to community service, directing him to distribute pamphlets detailing citizens’ fundamental duties.
The order was passed by Judicial Magistrate Nazia Hassan under Section 355 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, after the accused, Riyaz Ahmad Sheikh, pleaded guilty to verbally abusing pedestrians while intoxicated in Srinagar on April 13. Medical tests confirmed that he was under the influence of drugs.
Instead of imposing a fine or short-term imprisonment, the court directed Sheikh to distribute 200 pamphlets in English, provided by the court, outlining Article 51A of the Constitution in public spaces such as markets and bus stands on May 5. He is also required to distribute 50 pamphlets translated into Kashmiri and Urdu.
Describing the incident as a reflection of “constitutional illiteracy,” the court noted that spreading awareness through community service serves a better rehabilitative and educational purpose than punitive measures.
The accused was represented by Advocate Asmat Zehra. (KNT)
