UP Juvenile Board lets off man on two years probation in 24-year-old case

The Juvenile Justice Board of Shahjahanpur has let off 35-year-old Rakesh (named changed) on two years probation in a case of dacoity and murder which took place in the district 24 years ago.

The matter was referred to the Board last year after a court ruled that Rakesh was a minor at the time of the crime. He is now married with four children.

Rakesh, who was lodged in an observation home in Bareilly since September 29 last year, was released after the Board's order last week. The Board gave Rakesh's custody to his father-in-law, Siyaram, who will be his guardian during the probation. Siyaram was asked to file an undertaking stating that he would take care of Rakesh, would not harass him, and would not allow him to take part in any criminal activities. Rakesh's lawyer said Siyaram submitted two sureties before the probation officer, as ordered by the Board.

Rakesh's story goes back to December 1988, when unidentified men beat up residents of a house in Shahjahanpur, fired at them and decamped with valuables. Two of the injured died later. Police arrested seven persons — Jai Ram, Rakesh, Lalla Ram, Nandu, Sadhu, Nanne and Lalla.

In April 1989, Sadhu and Lalla Ram were discharged for want of proof. On December 12, 2011, a Shahjahanpur court held Nanne, Jagdish and Rakesh guilty and sentenced Nanne and Jagdish to life imprisonment. On September 28, 2012, it declared Rakesh was juvenile at the time of the crime and sent his case to the Board.

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