Kanpur, Aug. 6 -- On Saturday, a weary Kanhaiya Lal stood before the chief judicial magistrate, Jhansi, and confessed to theft and embezzlement from a cooperative society. The trial had dragged on for 49 years. The ailing 71-year-old no longer wanted to fight. "I am tired. I am now 71 years old and have grown weary of appearing in court again and again. I no longer have the strength to fight this case. I confess the crime and I want it to end," Lal told the court. CJM Munnalal found him guilty under multiple sections of the IPC, including 457 (housebreaking), 380 (theft), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), and 120B (criminal conspiracy). His punishment: A total fine of Rs.2,000. The court took into account his confession, time already spent-nearly a year-in custody, and his health. Upon paying the fine, he was allowed to return home to Gwalior. GS Chauhan, a senior advocate in Lucknow high court, said pendency of cases is common in all courts of the country. In 1976, Kanhaiya Lal, a peon at the LSS cooperative society in Jhansi's Bamanua village, was among three employees named in FIR by then-secretary Bihari Lal Gautam. They were accused of stealing a receipt book and a Rs.150 wristwatch. Police later found forged receipts used to collect Rs.14,472 from members, with Lakshmi Prasad allegedly misappropriating Rs.3,887.40. A case of theft and embezzlement was registered, and all three accused were arrested and sent to jail. They were later granted bail. Prasad and Raghunath died during course of trial....