By IANS
Jodhpur : A convict in Rajasthan was asked by a court to dig 10 holes for planting trees as punishment for not appearing before it on a given date.
A division bench of the Rajasthan High Court, comprising Justice Bhagwati Prasad and Justice Gopal Krishna Vyas, passed verbal orders to this effect Monday to Zahir Abbas, who has been convicted for murder.
A local court in Sirohi district had in 2004 sentenced Abbas to life imprisonment for murdering Surendra Singh in 1999. His appeal was pending before the high court that had released him on bail in April 2007.
The court had asked him to appear before it on May 21, which he failed to do and his bail was forfeited. On Monday, when Abbas appeared before the high court and accepted his mistake, the bench directed him to dig holes in the court premises for planting trees.
Abbas completed the task assigned to him in an hour's time in the presence of court officials and his lawyer.
"This was not a judgement and was not put on paper. It was more like social work that would help save the environment and is a better alternative to imposing financial penalties," Sikandar Khan, Abbas' lawyer, told IANS.
Added Hasti Mal Saraswat, another lawyer here: "This is a unique case. Similar punishment should be given to petty criminals also through which they can contribute to society."