Man directed to serve stray animals

A city court judge has directed a married man - who allured a 14-year-old girl to be his second wife, to serve the sick stray animals for a year.

A city court judge has directed a married man - who allured a 14-year-old girl to be his second wife, to serve the sick stray animals for a year.

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Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau said, “Rajpal (accused) be released on probation of conduct for a period of two years on furnishing a personal and surety bond of R10,000 each and with a further condition that he shall render service to the sick and injured animals particularly the strays for a period of one year.”

Rajpal ( 28) was lodged in jail since 2009 for kidnapping and tying nuptial knot with a minor girl after concealing his married status.

Earlier, Rajpal, a fruit vendor, who was already married and is a father of two minor children, was convicted under Sections 363 (kidnapping a minor) and 366 (abducting a woman to compel her to marry).

The court directed Rajpal, a resident of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, to report to the NGO Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre at Raja Garden in the Capital to undertake the duties for three days in a week with one hour each day.

The judge cautioned the accused stating, “In case of any absenteeism or default or breach of condition of probation on the part of the convict, he shall have to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of two years.”

“I have spoken to the convict in the court and I am satisfied that he genuinely regrets his shameful and hurtful act. The regrets offered by the convict of his act may be because of remorse or could even be a response to the fear of consequences of his act including the fear of being punished for such an act,” the court said.