Youth gets 5-year RI for snatching cellphone

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4

Sending a strong message to snatchers, Narender, Additional Sessions Judge, Chandigarh, has sentenced a youth, Abhishek, alias Badri, to five years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) after convicting him of the offence punishable under Section 379-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The court also imposed a fine of Rs25,000 on the convict. In case of default of payment, he will further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two months.

“Cases related to snatching have attained alarming proportions, which pose a threat to society at large, especially women and old-age persons who are mainly targeted. In view of this, a person, who has been found guilty of snatching a cellphone, cannot be allowed to go away lightly. Sentencing has to be such that may serve as a lesson not only for the convict but also for all those of his ilk. Keeping these facts in mind, deterrent punishment is the need of the hour,” the Judge said in the order.

In a complaint filed before the police, Aarti, a resident of Dhanas, said she went to buy medicines on July 15, 2020. When she was returning home and reached near an ATM of ICICI Bank in Dhanas, the accused snatched her mobile phone. The woman recognised the snatcher as he was not wearing a mask at the time of the incident.

The police registered a case against the accused for the offence punishable under Sections 379-A and 411 of the IPC. The police arrested the accused and recovered the stolen mobile phone from him.

After investigation, the police presented a challan against the accused in the court. After finding prima facie case against the accused, the court framed charges to which he pleaded not guilty.

After hearing the arguments, the court said the prosecution had been able to prove all charges against the accused. Accordingly, the accused was held guilty and convicted under Section 379-A of the IPC.