A court in Ludhiana has delivered a stern verdict in a street crime case, sentencing a man to five years of rigorous imprisonment for snatching a gold chain from a woman. The court also imposed a significant financial penalty on the convict.
The Court's Verdict and Penalty
The court of Additional Sessions Judge Manila Chugh pronounced the sentence against the accused. Alongside the five-year jail term, the judge imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. The court specified that in case of default on the fine payment, the convict will have to undergo an additional one month of rigorous imprisonment.
Details of the Snatching Incident
The crime dates back to May 9, 2023. The complainant, Priyanka, a social worker, was traveling with her daughter on her Activa scooter towards PAU. As she entered Block A of Tagore Nagar, two men on a motorcycle approached from behind. One of them snatched her gold chain, which weighed 9 grams and had a 9-gram pendant, before speeding away.
Priyanka attempted to trace the assailants herself but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, on May 15, she and her husband, Atul Sharma, approached the police. The Division No. 8 police registered a case against unknown persons under sections 379-B (snatching), 34 (common intention), and 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of the Indian Penal Code.
Police Investigation and Arrest
The breakthrough in the case came when ASI Naveen Kumar, stationed at Rajpura Chowk on Humbran Road, received a tip-off. The information identified the accused as Gaganjit Singh of New Shastri Nagar and his brother Avtar Singh from the same area, who were reportedly sitting in a park near BVM School, Tagore Nagar.
Deeming the information reliable, ASI Kumar asked the complainant to come to the location to identify the suspects. Following her confirmation, the police apprehended the accused. A search of Gaganjit Singh led to the recovery of a broken gold chain, which the complainant positively identified as her stolen property. The police officially booked the brothers on May 18, 2023.
The court's decision underscores a firm stance against street crimes that threaten public safety and security. The substantial prison term serves as a strong deterrent, highlighting the legal consequences of such acts in Ludhiana.
