Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 18: 2nd Additional Sessions Judge Jammu Virender Singh Bhou today awarded life-imprisonment to husband Shakti Kumar and one Nisha Devi in murder of one Suman Devi.
After hearing APP DP Singh for the UT, the court observed, “extra marital and illicit relations between accused have led to an unsavory and ghastly act, which has resulted in the death of one Suman Devi, who happens to be wife of Shakti Sharma”.
“A distinction has to be made between a dreaded and hardened criminal and ordinary criminal while sentencing the convict. It is not only the duty of the court but social and legal obligations are clearly enjoined upon it to impose adequate punishment according to law while taking into consideration not only the crime, but also the criminal”, the Judge said.
“Furthermore, deterrence and reformation are primarily social goals, which make deprivation of life and liberty reasonable as penal panacea. Retributive theory as had its days and is no longer valid. Sentence of death is only deterrent and preventive, but sentence of imprisonment for life is in addition to deterrence and preventive, also gives a chance to the criminal for reformation and of repentance while undergoing life imprisonment in the jail”, the court said.
Accordingly, court ordered that the convict Shakti Kumar, son of Munshi Ram of Bandhwal Colony Jourian Tehsil Akhnoor will undergo rigorous imprisonment for life for the commission of offence under Section 302 RPC and pay a fine of Rs 10,000. In case of default in payment of fine the convict shall undergo further simple imprisonment for two months.
Another convict Nisha Devi, wife of Parshotam Lal resident of Jakh Tehsil and district Samba will undergo rigorous imprisonment for life and pay a fine of Rs 10,000 for commission of offence under Sections 302/109 RPC. In case of default of payment of fine the convict shall undergo simple imprisonment for two months.
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