College dropouts held in snatching cases

SAS NAGAR, June 17: The local police claim to have solved several cases of snatching committed in various parts of the state by arresting...

SAS NAGAR, June 17: The local police claim to have solved several cases of snatching committed in various parts of the state by arresting two unemployed youth yesterday and recovered Rs 70,000 in cash and gold ornaments weighing 15 tolas from their possession.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Roopnagar Senior Superintendent of Police Jaskaran Singh said the duo was involved in the snatching incidents in S.A.S. Nagar and Ludhiana and were active for the last six months. Those arrested have been identified as Jatinder Singh Gill and Raghbir Singh, both residents of Hathur village in Jagraon police district.

While the father of one of the accused runs a homoeopathic clinic, the other is a farmer and both the accused were dropouts from their respective colleges. They joined this profession for want of money as they wanted to lead a luxurious life. They recently purchased a mobile phone, said police officials.

It was stated that the two were nabbed yesterday evening by Central Police Station incharge Balwant Singh at the check-point near the Phase IX and X bridge. They were nabbed on the basis of clues provided by a woman whose belongings were looted by the two recently. Interestingly, the accused used to send the documents of the victim back through post and keep only the valuables, said the SSP.

With their arrest, the police claim to have solved eight cases of snatching in the township and five in Ludhiana. Gold ornaments of about 15 tolas comprising gold chains, earrings, rings worth about Rs 70,000 and NSC certificates were recovered from their possession, besides Rs 70,000 in cash. Out of the seven purses which were snatched from the township, four have been recovered, claim police officials.

Jatinder Singh Gill was earlier studying in Lord Mahavir Homoeopathic College in Ludhiana and left his study a year back, while Raghbir Singh was a student of Guru Tegh Bahadur Polytechnic, Malout, and left his studies about six months back because of lecture shortage.

A case has been registered against the two under Sections 356 and 379 of Indian Penal Code.