The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Community service for minor offenders likely

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Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Community service for minor offenders likely

Court to decide hours of community service
Offenders will be able to live with their families

HYDERABAD: A law to make community service for persons who are convicted for minor offences and sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year is proposed to be enacted soon.

The Cabinet on Tuesday cleared the draft bill on the Andhra Pradesh Community Services of Offenders Act, 2007. According to the bill, community service is ‘non-custodial punishment’ awarded by court after conviction wherein the offender is required to perform unpaid work for the benefit of the community under the supervision of community services officers. The law is applicable to minor offences, punishable with imprisonment of not more than one year, under IPC 1860 to a person not below the age of 18.

Information and Public Relations Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy told reporters that the offender would have to give his or her consent in writing accepting the terms and conditions of the community service order. The order would be issued by the court concerned, which would fix the daily hours of community service to the offender.

Panel to be formed

The Minister said a State community service committee would be constituted. It would be headed by a high court judge who would supervise the community service and lay down the policy. Mr. Reddy said the offenders would be able to live with their families. Provisions of the Act would not be applicable to a person convicted under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989.

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