Twitter
Advertisement

'Respected' DDCA official who got drunk and beat up cops exempted from fine

Atindra Jain was sentenced to pay a paltry fine of Rs 2,000 for assaulting two constables while being drunk

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The sentence accorded to a Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) official was set aside on the ground that it will adversely affect his political career in the cricket board and his chances of travelling abroad. Atindra Jain was sentenced to pay a paltry fine of Rs 2,000 for assaulting two constables while being drunk.

Jain pleaded guilty to the crime, committed in 2010, in front of a trial court in November, 2016. He also offered to compensate the two policemen to the tune of Rs. 20,000. The Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) at the Tis Hazari Distict Court recorded the guilty plea and sentenced Jain to a fine of Rs 2,000. If Jain failed to pay the fine, he would have to undergo simple imprisonment for 10 days, for the two offenses.

Jain, however, appealed against the fine at the sessions court. His counsel Anil Rakhra submitted that his client pleaded guilty under a "bonafide belief that he would be discharged or acquitted." He further submitted that though the fine of Rs 2,000 did not matter much to Jain, the sentence would "operate as a stigma" against him.

Rakhra further said that Jain frequently travelled overseas for business, and his children also lived abroad. So, the sentence would be detrimental to his travels. Jain's passport was also up for renewal, what if this sentence became an issue, the counsel had argued.

It was also submitted that this may hamper his career prospects in other ways, as in future, he may have to contest elections of DDCA, of which he is an executive member.
At this point, it may be pertinent to note, that Jain is not an executive member of the DDCA as confirmed by bonafide DDCA officials. In 2012, Jain contested elections as part of the CK Khanna group, and had lost. Later, the same group conferred upon him the title of Vice-Patron.

It must also be added that, once, during the 2012 IPL matches, Jain was thrashed by Delhi Police officers for behaving anti-socially and being a general menace at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

Though, Jain was convicted for getting drunk and beating up police officers in an incident unrelated to the one mentioned above, Special CBI Judge MK Nagpal noted that he was a "respected individual" who "enjoyed good social standing". The judge further observed that Jain did not have a criminal history or any other case of misconduct. Taking the submissions in to account, in the court's "considered opinion", Jain "deserved a second chance".

The Special CBI Judge thus invoked Section 360 of the CrPC and Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act-1958, and suspended the sentence of payment of fine. Though the conviction was maintained, the MM's impugned order of imposition of fine was set aside. Jain was also directed to be released on probation of good conduct for a period of one year subject to furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety in the like amount.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement