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Delhi Police considers separate snatching law after Adarsh Nagar murder, to send proposal soon

At present, snatching cases are registered by combining two IPC sections and the offender is given a maximum punishment of 3 years for theft and 2 years for use of criminal force.

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New Delhi: The Delhi Police is considering introducing separate sections in the Indian Penal Code for snatching and a proposal regarding the same may soon be sent to the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, ThePrint has learnt.

The move comes days after 25-year old Simran Kaur was murdered in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area after she resisted a chain-snatching bid Saturday.

According to police sources, the matter is being considered at the “highest level” to make snatching an offence under separate sections of the IPC with enhanced punishment.

Currently, in Delhi, cases of snatching are registered by combining two IPC sections — 379 (theft) and 356 (use of criminal force). The offender is given a maximum punishment of three years under sections of theft and two years for use of criminal force.

A similar proposal was sent to the GNCT by the Delhi Police in 2017 but it was turned down because the government did not feel there was a need for a separate section for snatching.

Now, however, the police are planning to send the proposal for “reconsideration”, according to sources.

“There is a need to bring in separate sections for snatching which ensures enhanced punishment. This will help deter criminals indulging in this street crime. It is being considered at the highest level and will be taken up with concerned authorities,” a senior police officer, who wished to remain unnamed, told ThePrint.

Once the proposal is sent to the GNCT, it will be put before the Lieutenant-Governor. Once it is approved by him, it will then go to the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration.


Also read: Former Bengaluru techie arrested for chain-snatching has more than 70 cases against him


Similar to Haryana’s snatching laws

According to sources in the police, the first proposal was sent to GNCT on 15 November 2017, suggesting that existing sections that are invoked in cases of snatching were not acting as a “deterrent”.

The proposal had said that it will be more effective if separate sections are created for the same just like in Haryana.

Haryana had brought in two additions to sections 379 A and 379 B — which made snatching a non-bailable offence — in October 2015.

The Delhi Police seeks similar amendments in the IPC by inserting sections in 379 A and 379 B of the IPC and in schedule I of Code Of Criminal Procedure, CrPC.

“It is felt that these Sections are not deterrent enough to discourage the criminals from involving themselves in the offence of snatching and despite several preventive measures adopted by Delhi Police, the crime of snatching has not been effectively controlled,” the proposal said.

“Apart from causing loss as well as trauma to the victims, since the act of snatching is committed in public view, it also creates a lot of public scare and a sense of insecurity. Under these circumstances, strict/stringent laws are required to curb the menace of snatching in Delhi,” it added.

“The earlier proposal was carefully charted out and highlighted important points on why snatching needs to be introduced as a separate section. We will pursue this again,” the officer quoted above said.

Majority of snatchers first time offenders — police data

According to data available with the police, incidents of snatching have steadily increased in the last two years. Moreover, the majority of people arrested in these cases were first-time offenders.

In 2020, 7,965 cases of snatching were registered while 6,266 cases were recorded in 2019.

Out of the 6,496 people arrested for snatching in 2020, 5,243 or 92.8 per cent were first time offenders. Of the 5,243 arrested in 2019, 91.66 per cent had no past criminal record.

In Simran Kaur’s case as well, the two men arrested — 19-year-old Fardeen and 22-year-old Aqibul — are school dropouts, unemployed and have never been arrested before.

Kaur had resisted their attempt to snatch her chain and was stabbed as a result.

The police data also revealed that mobile phones were snatched in 71 per cent cases, gold chains or mangalsutra (wedding chain) in about 15 per cent cases and cash or bags in 8 per cent of the cases.

However, PCR calls, an important parameter to gauge street crime in cities, made by people about snatching cases saw a major drop — 55.9 per cent — in 2020. A total of 24,746 PCR calls were made in 2020 while 56,037 calls were made in 2019.


Also read: Over 15% drop in crime rate, rape cases down by 21.63% in Delhi in 2020, police say


 

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