Should economic status determine the quantum of punishment?

Poverty may have compelled convict
The economic background of a convict needs to be taken into consideration. In many cases, the convict might have committed a crime due to poor financial condition. The scenario would have been different and there would be fewer crimes, if the government was able to provide jobs to unemployed, especially youngsters who get influenced by criminal elements.                  
—Nikita Kothari 

Consider the gravity of offences
How should the background of a person be considered while a judgment is being pronounced? Anyway rich people get away scot-free because of their connections. The middle class bears the brunt and has to suffer due to the injustice. If a crime is committed the person must be punished according to the severity of the crime and not his background.           
    —Anandita Bakshi

Will send the wrong signal
The only thing that should influence the decision of a judge is the evidence, motive and the nature of the crime. Economic background has no bases and it is not an excuse to commit crimes. Law should be same for everyone — poor or rich.   
                                      —Shefali Mehta

Have uniform norms for sentencing
While passing a judgment, economic background shouldn't be considered since it will create a bias. Hence it won't be fair to a victim's family. Such consideration will create disparity in judgments. If two people commit the same crime, they should be awarded similar punishment irrespective of their backgrounds.
    —Manan Abrol

Law must be applied equally
I don’t think economic background should be taken into account while announcing a sentence for any offence. Law should be equal for everyone and every citizen must abide by the regulations. If a person has committed a heinous crime, then its severity doesn’t go down just because he comes from a particular social or economic background.                                
—Nidhi Jain

Compiled by Meghna  Sharma