Chain-snatchers will now be booked for robbery,not theft

The new instructions were issued after around 10 cases of chain snatching were reported in the city on Monday,followed by another couple the following day. “The rationale is that since bike-borne chain-snatchers grab mangal sutras worn by women,they use force to commit the offence. Hence,it will be appropriate to book them for robbery instead of theft. Once this is done,criminals will be wary of getting caught on the wrong side of the law as the punishment will be more stringent,” said a senior Mumbai Police officer.

While theft is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with fine or both,robbery is punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years along with the possibility of a fine. If the robbery is committed on a highway between sunset and sunrise,the imprisonment may be extended to 14 years.

Observing that police stations were going easy on chain-snatching cases,Patnaik had recently cracked the whip by summoning senior police inspectors to apprise him of such cases in their areas.