A local court in Ludhiana has sentenced a 26-year-old man to five years of rigorous imprisonment for snatching a mobile phone. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict, who will serve an additional three months of rigorous imprisonment in case of default. Sessions Judge Harpreet Kaur Randhawa convicted Lovepreet Singh, a resident of Kular village in Jagraon, for an incident that took place in 2023 under the Sarabha Nagar police station jurisdiction. The charges were framed under Sections 379-B (snatching) and 411 (receiving stolen property) of the Indian Penal Code.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Dinesh Kumar, who worked as a store in-charge at a showroom on Mall Road, was returning home on the night of May 28, 2023. Around 10:30 PM, after alighting from an auto-rickshaw near a shopping mall on Ferozepur Road, he started walking towards Ashapuri Chowk. At that moment, a motorcycle-borne individual snatched his mobile phone and fled the scene. The police arrested the accused on May 30, 2023, near the Baddowal railway crossing after the complainant identified him. During the arrest, two mobile phones were recovered from his possession. Following a thorough investigation, a charge-sheet was filed against the accused.
Court's Observations and Judgment
The defense argued that the case was based on false implications and lacked independent witnesses. However, the court held that the quality of evidence outweighs its quantity. The judge noted that the testimony of official witnesses cannot be discarded solely on the ground that they are police personnel. Relying on the complainant's account and corroborating police evidence, the court concluded that the charges were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The court emphasized that the prosecution had successfully established the guilt of the accused through credible and consistent testimony.
The judgment serves as a reminder of the stringent legal consequences for snatching offenses, which have been on the rise in urban areas. The fine imposed will be directed towards the state exchequer, and the convict will undergo the additional sentence if the fine is not paid. This case highlights the judiciary's commitment to curbing street crimes and ensuring justice for victims.
