Trichy Chain Snatchers Sentenced to Nine Years Each in Landmark Court Verdict
In a significant ruling, two men were convicted on Friday and sentenced to three years' imprisonment each for three separate cases of chain snatching from women in Trichy over the past year. They will serve a total of nine years in prison for the offences, marking a stern judicial response to such crimes in the region.
Details of the Convicted Individuals and Incidents
The convicted individuals are S Vignesh Kumar, 26, from Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district, and D Jagadish, 19, from Big Bazaar in Trichy. The incidents that led to their conviction include:
- On July 25, 2025, a woman riding pillion with her husband along the Trichy-Chennai national highway was targeted in a chain snatching incident.
- On November 11, a tuition teacher walking on the road near Maruthi Nagar fell victim to a similar robbery.
- On December 16, a college trainer was robbed while crossing the road near Samayapuram.
Police Investigation and Apprehension
The Samayapuram police registered three separate cases against the suspects under Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with the snatching of property. Investigations were initiated using witness statements and CCTV footage from the incidents, which provided crucial evidence.
The duo was finally apprehended during a routine vehicle check on December 21. During the arrest, police recovered some of the stolen jewellery from them, which was found in a melted form, indicating attempts to dispose of the evidence.
Trial Proceedings and Court Verdict
The trial began on February 5 and concluded on February 9 at the judicial magistrate court in Trichy. Judge S Mohamed Suhail presided over the cases, ensuring a swift legal process.
On Friday, the judge delivered the verdict, sentencing each accused to three years of imprisonment and a fine of 2,000 rupees per offence. In total, the two men were handed nine years of imprisonment each and a cumulative fine of 6,000 rupees, reflecting the severity of their crimes.
This conviction underscores the effectiveness of law enforcement and judicial systems in tackling property crimes in Trichy, serving as a deterrent to potential offenders.
