Surat: A court here on Saturday sentenced two men to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for snatching a lawyer’s mobile phone during a late-night walk. The court said it was the judiciary’s duty to curb such offences and ensure citizens can live safely.The two were convicted under Section 379A(3) of IPC which provides for imprisonment of not less than seven years but which can extend to 10 years.Govind alias Goyo Kavad and Jaydip alias Topi Makwana were found guilty of snatching a mobile phone from a lawyer, Sandeep Kachhadiya, on Puna-Saroli Road on the night of Feb 1, 2024.Three men had ridden up from behind him on a motorcycle and snatched the phone, valued at Rs 70,000, before fleeing. Kachhadiya did not pursue them as the pillion rider brandished a knife.Puna police registered a case of snatching and launched an investigation. The probe led police to Kavad and Makwana. Searches and interrogations led to the recovery of Kachhadiya’s mobile phone and other stolen phones.Public prosecutor M K Brahmbhatt represented the state, while Ashwin Jogadiya submitted written arguments on behalf of the complainant.After hearing both sides, the court convicted both accused and sentenced each to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000. The court further ordered that failure to pay the fine would attract an additional one year of simple imprisonment.The court observed that it is the judiciary’s solemn duty to ensure such crimes are curbed so that people can live safely, and that the judgement should send a clear message that criminal acts of this nature will not be treated lightly.“The FIR had been registered 15 days after the snatching. Even a lawyer was made to wait for such a long period. Later, due to the police’s efforts, the accused were caught and the mobile phone was recovered,” Jogadiya said.
