Rape-Murder Convict to Complete Sentence at Mahavir Temple
Patna: June 1, 2007
18-year old Mantan Kumar, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment for raping and killing a five-year old girl in Jamunapur village in Begusarai district nearly five years ago, began a six-month community service as part of his sentencing at Mahavir Temple in Patna on Friday amidst mixed reactions among the visitors.
The convicted delinquent arrived at the temple in the presence of the temple committee chairperson Acharya Kishore Kunal and after a brief appearance before the media, was sent immediately to begin his service by serving food to the poor, arranging the shoe-stand, and cleaning up the floor.
He has already spent four and a half years in a juvenile home and now it's his turn to repent for what he did, Acharya Kunal said.
Interestingly, the boy while talking to the reporters, hardly appeared remorseful and at times even showed his disdain for cleaning floor or performing other menial jobs raising the eyebrows of many visitors who were having tough time deciding whether the punishment fit the heinous crime.
"His routine includes waking up at 4:00 in the morning, clean up the public areas in the temple, help feed the poor people, take care of the areas where visitors leave their shoes and sandals before entering into the temple and generally do everything that the temple management tells us to do so," Acharya Kunal said adding a monthly report of his behavior would be sent to the juvenile court until his term is over.

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