New Delhi: Delhi Police has achieved a milestone by securing the conviction of a man accused of assaulting and robbing a woman within just 18 days of the crime. The chargesheet was filed in a record five days, and the trial court conducted day-to-day proceedings to ensure swift justice.
Incident and Immediate Response
On the evening of April 18, a 21-year-old woman was waiting near Prahladpur bus stand in the Shahbad Dairy area of northwest Delhi. A man approached her, physically assaulted her, and forcibly snatched her iPhone 15 before fleeing. Hearing her cries for help, Head Constable Vikram, who was patrolling nearby, rushed to the scene and began chasing the accused along with the victim.
The accused, identified as 22-year-old Pankaj, a resident of a JJ colony in Bawana, was apprehended within minutes near a colony's gate. The stolen phone was recovered from his possession and seized as evidence.
Investigation and Chargesheet
Based on the victim's statement, police registered a case under sections 309 (robbery) and 317 (stolen property) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Shahbad Dairy police station. The investigation was completed within 72 hours, and the chargesheet was filed before the Rohini court on April 23, just five days after the incident. DCP (outer north) Hareshwar V Swami praised the team, stating, "The chargesheet was filed in record time."
The trial court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Bharti Beniwal took cognizance of the chargesheet and initiated day-to-day proceedings. Charges against the accused, who remained in custody throughout the trial, were framed on April 29, barely 11 days after the robbery.
Conviction and Significance
On May 6, the court completed the proceedings and convicted Pankaj. This case stands out as one of the fastest convictions in a street robbery matter under the new criminal laws. Typically, violent robbery and street crime cases languish in courts for months or even years, causing victims to lose hope. The swift resolution in this case highlights the effectiveness of the new legal framework.
According to police, this case was part of a special drive launched by the outer north district to fast-track street crime prosecutions, following directions from Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha. "Eight street crime cases from different police stations in the district were shortlisted for expedited investigation and trial under the initiative," the DCP said.
The court appreciated the prompt recovery of stolen property and the manner in which evidence was collected during the investigation. The police team involved is likely to be rewarded for their speedy investigation and prosecution efforts.
