Tangmarg, Apr 30 (KNS): Five persons have been sentenced to community service by a local court here for creating public nuisance under the influence of alcohol in a market area, in a first-of-its-kind reformative verdict that opted against imprisonment or fine.

 

Details available with News Agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) Judicial Magistrate First Class Waqar Ahmed convicted the five accused – Aijaz Ahmed Kakroo, Umar Yousuf Ganaie, Fayaz Ahmed Lone, Farooq Ahmed Malik and Mohd Iqbal Magray, all residents of Tangmarg and adjoining areas – for the offence under Section 355 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

 

The court was hearing a complaint titled 'State through SHO Police Station Tangmarg vs Aijaz Ahmed Kakroo and others'.

 

According to the prosecution, a police party from Police Station Tangmarg on April 23, 2026, caught the accused consuming alcohol in a public place and shouting, causing disturbance and inconvenience to the general public.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey were apprehended on the spot.

 

During the proceedings, the accused voluntarily confessed to the offence, the court said.

 

Taking note of their confession, the nature of the offence and the fact that they were first-time offenders with no criminal record, the court decided against imposing imprisonment or monetary fine, legal sources said.

 

Instead, the court directed the convicts to undertake cleanliness and other non-technical tasks under the supervision of the Executive Officer of Municipal Committee Tangmarg for eight days – from April 30 to May 8, 2026 – between 10 AM and 1 PM daily, they said.

 

The Municipal Committee has been directed to submit a compliance report to the court after completion of the assigned duties.

 

The court observed that community service is a progressive step under the BNS, 2023, aimed at rehabilitating offenders, promoting social responsibility and reducing the burden on the prison system. (KNS)