Published Paper Details:

This study critically analysis the concept of community service as a form of punishment introduced under Section 4(f) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. It explores the shift from retributive to reformative justice in India, evaluating whether community service aligns with constitutional protections under Articles 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and 23 (Prohibition of Forced Labour). The research highlights the absence of a statutory definition and detailed procedural framework for implementing community service, raising concerns about potential judicial inconsistency and constitutional violations. Through doctrinal analysis and case law review, the study demonstrates how Indian courts have increasingly endorsed community service, especially for petty offences and first-time offenders, as a tool for rehabilitation and societal reintegration. Drawing from international legal instruments such as the Tokyo and Beijing Rules, the study affirms that while community service is a constitutionally viable and socially constructive penal measure, its success depends on legislative refinement, clear guidelines, and judicial training.