Tripura court asked government to take responsibility of family of convicted person

Agartala, Aug 23: A local court suggested Tripura government to extend financial help to the family members of the convicted persons who are not at all responsible for the crime committed by the convicts. The Additional Sessions Judge of West Tripura Goutam Sarkar in an order today viewed that state government needs to take care of the victimised family of the convicted person(s) of the circumstances of any crime. The judgement said till date there is no law towards compensation to the family members of the convicted person(s) who is either be a husband or wife or children or parent of the convict. But in most of the cases when a wage earner of the family is convicted for any crime by court of law, his or her family has to suffer without any of their involvement in the particular crime. Buddha Debbarma of Guliraibari village under Bishramganj police station of West Tripura was killed by his elder brother Jyotish Debbarma in a January mid-night attack last year in a family dispute. His wife Ratna Debbarma registered a murder case against Jyotish and accordingly he was arrested. After a long trial additional sessions Judge sentenced Jyotish Debbarma to suffer rigorous imprisonment for five years under section 304 of the Indian Penal Code and the convict is also liable to pay fine of Rs 10,000 and in default of payment he will face further imprisonment for six months. However, a plea from the convict has attracted the attention of the court, which appeared to be unusual in nature and logically sympathetic towards the convicted family. Jyotish is having wife, four minor children and ailing mother of 101 years old and he was the only bread earner of the family. The family members of convicted Jyotish has been suffering from financial crisis since he was arrested and after conviction of him the entire family faced into challenge for their survival though none of the family member was connected with the crime. In the 38 pages judgement the judge Sarkar mentioned that it is the responsibility of the state to secure the life and liberty of the citizen who are victim of the situation. He asked the District Legal Services Authority to provide financial assistance to the family of the convicted person who are not involved with the crime in any way. UNI