Uttar Pradesh: 18,000 Handed Sentences In 5 Months Under 'Operation Conviction' By Police

As per data, 16 individuals were handed death penalty for heinous crimes while 1,762 individuals were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Over 18,000 people have been convicted of various offences in five months under 'Operation Conviction' launched by the Uttar Pradesh Police this year. Operation Conviction, which was launched by Director General of Police (DGP) Vijay Kumar, has seen 18,345 individuals being convicted in 12,930 criminal cases registered by police between July 1 and December 6. 

Among these convictions, 16 individuals were handed death penalty for heinous crimes, including rape and murder of minors. Additionally, 1,762 individuals were sentenced to life imprisonment in 959 criminal cases across the state, a state government spokesperson told IANS.

The success of 'Operation Conviction' has been attributed to the diligent efforts of investigation officers and prosecution officers. DGP Vijay Kumar, lauding their dedication, said such convictions sends a strong message in the society and bolsters trust in the judicial system.

The DGP expressed his appreciation and personally acknowledged investigation officers and prosecution officers involved in cases where convictions were secured.

Further insights revealed that 330 individuals were sentenced to over 20 years of imprisonment in 266 cases during this period. Moreover, 1,087 individuals received imprisonment ranging between 10 and 19 years in 760 cases. Additionally, 15,150 individuals were handed imprisonment below 10 years in 12,170 cases within the same timeframe.

According to The Indian Express, in addition to child sexual abuse cases covered by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), the operation encompasses cases involving rape, murder, robbery, dacoity, illegal religious conversion, and cow slaughter.

DGP Kumar had said back in June that once a chargesheet was filed, the charges would be framed in three days so that the trial could be concluded within 30 days.

"After  the chargesheet is filed in these cases, charges will be framed within three days, followed by concluding the trial within 30 days... The district police chief will oversee these cases, conducting meetings with monitoring cells. They'll strive for fast-track court trials conducted daily, coordinating closely with the district judge," Kumar was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.