Ludhiana Court Imposes Decade-Long Sentence in 2022 Snatching Case
A local court in Ludhiana has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing a man to ten years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in a snatching incident that occurred in 2022. The court of Additional Sessions Judge Dr. Rajneesh also levied a substantial fine of Rs 26,000 on the convict, identified as Sanju Verma.
Failure to pay this fine will result in an additional six months and one week of rigorous imprisonment, underscoring the court's strict stance on such criminal activities.
Details of the 2022 Snatching Incident
The case traces back to January 16, 2022, when Division Number 5 police registered a case against Sanju Verma of New Model Town, along with accomplices Soni Yadav and Prem Kumar (alias Mental). They were booked under multiple IPC sections: 379-B for snatching, 411 for receiving stolen property, 34 for common intention, and 201 for disappearance of evidence.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Deepak Sahni, was traveling from Midha Chowk toward the bus stand at 5.30 am when three men on a motorcycle approached him. After asking about a route, they snatched his shoulder bag, which contained a laptop, a mobile phone, a charger, and important documents, before fleeing the scene.
Initially, the complainant could not provide the vehicle's registration number. However, a supplementary statement on July 29, 2022, revealed that the accused had used a datar (a sharp-edged weapon) to instill fear during the snatching.
Investigation and Trial Complications
Investigations led by ASI Jasvir Singh eventually identified the trio, with specific roles assigned: Mental held the weapon, Sonu drove the motorcycle, and Sanju Verma physically snatched the bag.
The trial faced several procedural hurdles. Accused Prem Kumar was reported deceased, though his death verification remains pending, leading to the separation of his abatement proceedings. Similarly, accused Soni Yadav absented himself during arguments after pleading false implication, resulting in his proceedings being separated to avoid further delays in the case.
The defense argued that no independent witnesses were joined in the investigation, despite the incident occurring on a busy thoroughfare. However, the court dismissed this contention, observing that the prosecution's testimonies were credible and there was no evidence of prior enmity or motive for false implication.
Court's Final Observations and Verdict
The court concluded that the cumulative evidence firmly established that Sanju Verma, acting with common intention alongside Soni Yadav and Prem Kumar, snatched the complainant's bag at the point of a datar. A key piece of evidence was the recovery of the complainant's mobile phone from Verma's possession.
This verdict highlights the judiciary's commitment to addressing street crimes and ensuring justice for victims through stringent penalties.
