Guilty of drinking in public, Chandigarh resident Rafiq serves cows with dedication

Mohammad Rafik, a 39-year-old resident of Bapu Dham Colony here, has been feeding cows and doing cleaning jobs in the gaushala at Sector 45 for the past two days.

Cow vigilante groups, especially who think the Muslims are not expected to care for cows, may find it shocking, but Rafiq has proved them wrong. A local court had ordered Rafik to do community service at the gaushala for four days after pronouncing him guilty of creating ruckus in a public place after consuming liquor.

The police registered the case on June 18 at the Industrial Area station. They filed the chargesheet against the accused for the offences punishable under Section 355 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 68 (1)B of the Punjab Police Act, 2007. Finding prima facie case, the court framed the charges against the accused, to which he pleaded guilty and claimed leniency.

The court order says the BNS has introduced community service as an alternative punishment for minor offences, marking a significant shift in the criminal justice system. This provision is aimed at rehabilitating offenders.

As per Section 23 of the BNS, punishment in the form of community service is aimed at promoting rehabilitation, reducing recidivism and providing an alternative to imprisonment for minor offences.

Meanwhile, Rafik said he was enjoying doing community service as directed by the court. He is happy that instead of sending him to jail, the court has given him an opportunity to serve the cows. He has realised his mistake and will not repeat it in future, said Rafik, while adding that he will voluntarily look after the cows again after completing his four-day punishment.

Vinod Kumar, vice-president of Gauri Shankar Sewa Dal, which is managing the gaushala, said making the provision for the community service in the new criminal laws is a welcome change. He said the order of the court is appreciable as it will not only make the offender realise his mistake but also help him to reform. He praised Rafik’s dedication in serving the cows. From cleaning the gaushala to feeding the cows, Rafiq is doing all the work with dedication, he added.