New Delhi, 22 October (H.S.): The Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded the Allahabad High Court for releasing two men convicted in a 2003 knife-and-firearm assault case on probation under a provision relating to good conduct. A Bench headed by Justice J.B. Pardiwala observed that, despite the brutality of the crime, the convicts had escaped imprisonment entirely due to what it described as “misplaced sympathy”, without spending even a single day behind bars.

The Supreme Court questioned the High Court’s observation that the accused had been suffering for 22 years, pointing out that they had remained on bail during this period. It expressed puzzlement over the reasoning behind the remark, noting that the men had allegedly continued to engage in criminal activities while enjoying their liberty.

Setting aside the Allahabad High Court’s order, the Supreme Court directed both convicts to surrender within two weeks. It further warned that, if they failed to comply, the Additional Sessions Court in Bahraich would immediately initiate proceedings to secure their arrest.

The case arose from a dispute allegedly stemming from commercial rivalry. The complainant had opened a shop near the accused persons’ establishment in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district. On the day of the incident, one of the accused was carrying a sharp-edged weapon, while the other was armed with a firearm.

The two men allegedly launched a brutal assault on the victim, inflicting serious injuries that caused him to lose consciousness. He was subsequently taken to a hospital in Bahraich for treatment.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar