Court rules community service for petty lifter
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 28 2025: With a human touch to rehabilitate, a 26-year-old convict has been sentenced to 30-days of community service at Khwairamband Keithel by a Court today.

The youth, Khullakpam Nousad was convicted of stealing a mobile phone.

Convicting the youth under Section 303 BNS (Offense of theft), and announcing the sentence, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal West said Khullakpam Nousad will carry out community service for 30 days at Khwairamband Ima Keithel, Imphal.

He shall carry out community service for 30 (thirty) days at Khwairamband Ima Keithel for 4 hours a day in two different shifts - from 9 to 11 in the morning and from 3 to 5 in the evening, said the Magistrate.

Notably, community service became an official part of the criminal justice system with the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 replacing the old Indian Penal Code (IPC).

This form of sentence [community service] aims to hold offenders accountable, facilitate their rehabilitation, and provide a benefit to society, often focusing on restorative and rehabilitative justice rather than solely punishment.

Khullakpam Nousad alias Boy hails from Kiyamgei Mamang Leikai.

He was produced before the Court by the City Police.

Police had arrested him during checking at Kangla Western Gate.

He had stolen a Redmi 12 smartphone from a person at Ima Keithel.

The mobile handset is valued at Rs 3,999.In the Court of the CJM, Nousad pleaded guilty.

Announcing the sentence, the Magistrate said that the convict shall carry out the community service diligently without fail.

The CJM further directed the Investigating Officer of the case to record photo(s) and videos of the convict carrying out his sentence weekly till he completes his sentence for record and evidence.

The Magistrate also directed the Officer-in-Charge of the City police station to recommend to the convict a rehabilitation centre run by the Government after completion of his community service.

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