In a notable move toward reformative justice, a court in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday sentenced two individuals to community service after they were found intoxicated and causing a public nuisance.

The incident occurred on Saturday in the Nagrota area, where Varun Mangotra and Ankush Kumar were caught by police in an intoxicated state and disturbing the public order. Following their arrest, both were medically examined and presented before the court of the Third Additional Munsiff, Jammu.

In a progressive ruling, the court chose not to impose a traditional jail sentence. Instead, it directed the accused to undertake one week of community service at the Government Hospital in Gandhi Nagar, from 8 am to 10 am daily.

According to the police spokesperson, the duo was convicted under Section 355 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses misconduct in public by an intoxicated person. The new provision under BNS emphasizes rehabilitation and community involvement for minor offences, aiming to reform rather than punish.

Police highlighted that this decision reflects a growing trend toward constructive and rehabilitative justice in dealing with low-level offences and sets a strong precedent for similar cases in the future.