A Chandigarh court sentences three men to 10 years of imprisonment for robbing a pedestrian of ₹600, a mobile phone, and an Aadhaar card in 2020.(File Photo)The district court of Chandigarh has sentenced three young men to 10 years of imprisonment for robbing a pedestrian of Rs 600, his Aadhaar card and a mobile phone in Mauli Jagran area of the city in 2020.The court also imposed fines of Rs 15,000 each on two of the convicts and Rs 10,000 on the third.The order was pronounced by Additional District and Sessions Judge Sonika, who convicted Rajinder, alias Dhani (24), Shubham, alias Bambo (22), and Kashim, alias Machhi (18) under sections 395 (dacoity) and 397 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the IPC. Rajinder and Kashim were also convicted under Section 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property).According to the prosecution, the incident happened on the evening of January 25, 2020. Complainant Pankaj told the police that he was travelling on foot towards Mauli Jagran after getting down from an auto near Chandigarh Railway Station when five youths intercepted him near a Shiv Mandir around 8 pm. One of them allegedly placed a knife on his abdomen while another pointed a pistol at his back and threatened to shoot if he raised the alarm. The assailants then robbed him of his purse containing Rs 600, his Aadhaar card and an MI mobile phone before fleeing.On Pankaj’s complaint, an FIR was registered at Mauli Jagran police station. During investigation, the police recovered the complainant’s black purse from Rajinder, which the complainant identified as his own. The purse contained Rs 200 at the time of recovery, which was seized along with it. Investigators also recovered the snatched mobile phone and a toy pistol allegedly used in the crime from Shubham’s possession.During trial, the defence counsel argued that the accused had been falsely implicated and pointed to alleged contradictions in the statements of prosecution witnesses. They also contended that recoveries were planted and that the investigation was flawed because no independent witness was joined by the investigating officer.Rejecting these submissions, the court held that there is no legal requirement that testimony must be discarded merely because it lacks independent corroboration. It observed that the prosecution had established a consistent chain linking the accused to the crime and that the defence had failed to provide any plausible reason for false implication. The court also noted that the accused neither took a plea of alibi nor explained their whereabouts at the relevant time.Story continues below this adOn discrepancies highlighted by the defence, the court said minor contradictions in witness statements could arise due to passage of time between the incident and deposition in court, and such inconsistencies were peripheral rather than affecting the core of the prosecution’s case.Holding that no benefit of the doubt could be extended on that basis, the court convicted all three accused.Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:chandigarh