How a mobile phone snatcher in Delhi was held, tried and convicted — in just 12 days

In this mobile snatching case, the taxi driver wasted no time in chasing Adil after his phone was snatched, said officers, adding that Constable Rahul of IP Estate police station was on routine patrol duty nearby and spotted the commotion. He intervened and after a brief pursuit, the accused was apprehended on the spot and the stolen phone was recovered from his possession.

What followed was not just a routine investigation, but what police officers describe as an example of the “time-bound justice”, envisioned under the criminal law framework enacted in 2024.

The FIR was registered under sections 304(2) and 317(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) the same day. The investigation was handled by Head Constable Nadeem under the supervision of SHO Inspector Naresh Kumar, said officers.

Central District DCP Rohit Rajbir Singh said, “Unlike conventional investigations that often rely heavily on written paperwork, the police relied on technology-backed evidence collection. Recovery and seizure proceedings were digitally recorded through the E-Sakshya App in compliance with Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), creating contemporaneous electronic evidence intended to strengthen the prosecution during trial.”

Investigators also found that the accused had previously been involved in another criminal case registered at IP Estate earlier this year.

The chargesheet was filed within four days of the incident. The trial proceeded on priority basis, reflecting a growing institutional push to ensure swift disposal in crimes affecting ordinary citizens, particularly offences such as snatching, robbery and street theft that directly impact public confidence and day-to-day safety, said officers.

During the trial, the prosecution was led by Assistant Public Prosecutor Raghav Khurana, who presented witness testimony along with documentary and electronic evidence collected during the investigation. The court, after examining the material on record, convicted the accused on Tuesday.

Speaking about the case, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma said,  “One of the key features of the new laws is that conviction should take place in a time-bound manner. Street crimes such as snatching are among the most visible crimes and they directly affect public life. In today’s world, everything is inside a mobile phone: people’s contacts, banking, identity documents, work and personal data.”

Verma added that Delhi Police intends to send a strong message that street crimes will be investigated and prosecuted swiftly under the new framework.

“The idea is that all such street crimes should be dealt with in a time-bound manner. This works for the betterment of everyone involved: the victim, the accused, the judiciary and the police. Timely investigation and timely prosecution improve the entire criminal justice process,” the DCP added.

Officials in the Central District describe the conviction as more than just a successful prosecution in a snatching case. They see it as a practical demonstration of how policing, digital evidence collection, prosecution strategy and judicial timelines are expected to function under the current legal regime.

In a similar case earlier reported from Delhi’s Outer North district, police secured conviction in a street crime matter within just 14 days after filing the chargesheet in four days under an accelerated investigation mechanism. The trial was conducted on a day-to-day basis.