VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has framed new guidelines aimed at reforming individuals involved in minor offenses rather than letting them turn into hardened criminals through imprisonment.
In alignment with the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the court has formally introduced community service as an alternative punishment to jail terms and financial fines for petty offences.
The State government recently issued an official notification publishing these guidelines in the Gazette, making them applicable across all subordinate courts in Andhra Pradesh with immediate effect.
The initiative is expected to primarily benefit youth and first-time offenders who commit minor or unintentional crimes, ensuring their future prospects are not ruined by a prison record while simultaneously helping reduce overcrowding in jails.