Court upholds three-year term in chain snatching case

Plea for leniency on grounds of age dismissed

January 19, 2018 01:38 am | Updated 01:38 am IST - New Delhi

A Delhi court has dismissed an appeal by a man against his conviction and three-year imprisonment in a 2015 chain snatching case.

Sonu had snatched the gold chain from a woman sitting in a three-wheeler near a market on Old Mehrauli Road. The convict was riding pillion on a bike without a registration number at the time of the incident. Though his accomplice managed to escape, local shopkeepers nabbed Sonu and the police recovered the chain from the spot.

Challenged judgment

A Metropolitan Magistrate court had convicted and awarded the sentence to Sonu on the basis of the victim’s testimony, among other evidence.

The convict had challenged the Magistrate’s judgment in a superior court.

“The perusal of the entire testimony of PW2 [complainant] shows that she has been consistent in her examination regarding the incidence, identity of the accused and the case property,” Special Judge Harish Dudani said in his judgment.

The court also dismissed the leniency plea of the convict. He had sought release on probation citing his age and family responsibilities. Sonu’s family includes his widowed mother and an unmarried sister.

“The modus operandi adopted by the appellant clearly reveals that the same was crafted with the intent that no one will be able to trace them after they commit such offences. And on the day of incidence, appellant ran out of the luck and was apprehended by the complainant with the help of public persons. The manner of commission of the offence disentitles the appellant to the benefit of Probation of Offenders Act,” the Judge said.

“Looking at the gravity and manner of commission of offence, the sentence awarded to appellant by the trial court is not disproportionate to the offence committed by the appellant. The appeal is devoid of merits and same is dismissed,” the Judge said dismissing the appeal of the convict.

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