With a view to curbing increasing incidence of chain-snatching, the Gujarat Government is all set to bring in an Ordinance in which punishment for the crime would be raised from up to three years to up to ten years in prison.
Divulging the details of the Ordinance, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said that the State Government was seeking to amend Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to allow jail terms fro seven to ten years for chain-snatchers, instead of a maximum punishment of three years at present.
According to Jadeja, current punishment under the provision of IPC was proving to be ineffective and hence the Vijay Rupani Government in Gujarat wanted to bring stringent provision for better security towards the citizens of the state, especially females. The State Government would insert new sub sections – 379(a) and 379(b) – in the IPC Section 379 by way of Ordinance and send it to Gujarat Governor OP Kohli for approval in near future.
Besides fine of Rs 25000, as per the proposed Ordinance those found guilty of chain or purse snatching would face imprisonment between seven to ten years. In the case of injuring other person, provision of additional three years in jail has also been suggested under the sub-section, said the Minister adding that these new provisions would also make it difficult for chain snatchers to get bail easily.