AP Cabinet nods for law on non-custodial punishment

Hyderabad, Aug 21 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today gave its approval for enactment of law for non-custodial punishment to those offenders punishable with imprisonment for not more than one year.

Talking to newspersons here, Information Minister A Ramanarayana Reddy said the community service order would be issued by the Court concerned, fixing hours of community service per day to such offenders after they give their consent in writing to the terms and conditions of the order.

As per the order, the offenders will be required to perform their duties for the benefit of the community under the supervision of the Community Service officer.

They could live with their families and not fall prey to bad influence of serious offenders, Mr Reddy said, adding that a High Court judge would supervise the operation of community service and lay down policy measures and implement the law.

The provisions of the law would not be applicable to persons convicted under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, he added.

UNI