Court imposes community service for 28-year-old youth in theft case

The Kanigiri First-Class Judicial Magistrate Court on Saturday sentenced a 28-year-old youth involved in a temple theft case at Kanigiri in Prakasam district to community service. This verdict is said to be the first of its kind in the state after the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) laws.

According to the court order, Pola Ankaiah allegedly entered the Ayyappa Swamy Temple at Doruvu Bazar in Kanigiri on October 13, 2024 and stole three copper items worth ₹3,000 and damaged camera equipment. After receiving the complaint from the devotees, the suspect was arrested by Kanigiri police who recovered the stolen items.

K. Bharath Chandra, Judicial First Class Magistrate, Kanigiri, sentenced him to simple imprisonment for 18 days and to pay a fine of ₹200 for the offence. The convict was also ordered to perform community service from November 2 to December 31 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. He will sweep and clean the main streets of Kanigiri under the supervision of municipal staff.

The judge emphasized the need to prevent unnecessary hardship for the convict’s family members. By imposing only three hours of community service per day, he can still work and provide for his family so they do not suffer financially from his sentence. He must report to the court every day before 5 p.m., produce an attendance list from the Kanigiri municipal officials and sign the court register.