Caught with liquor, juvenile board asks boy to plant 20 trees as punishment

The Juvenile Justice Board said that harsh punishment was not always the best way to reform a person, especially when one is of tender age

The Gopalganj Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Bihar asked a minor to plant 20 trees in a government school and look after it for two months. The minor was punished after he was found in possession of liquor, which is banned in Bihar.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, the principal magistrate Rakesh Mani Tiwari and JJB members directed the Gopalganj DFO to provide trees to the boy. It also directed the school headmaster to submit a compliance report on the boy after 20 days.

Police officials said that the minor was caught by Uchkagaon police on the charges of carrying liquor. Later, he was sent to a remand home. JJB members found him guilty and awarded the punishment.

While announcing the punishment the magistrate said, "As the boy is too young, the board decided not to send him to a reform home, as it could affect his studies and he could feel isolated. However, spreading awareness will bring him closer to the society and make him more responsible. It will give him an opportunity to reform himself, which is the ultimate goal of law."

The board further said that harsh punishment was not always the best way to reform a person, especially when one is of tender age. The boy will also tell the people to plant trees and create awareness about the need for greenery, the board observed.

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