THE COURT OBSERVES
Star witness states accused did not commit the offence
Motorcycle used by the accused has not been attached
The accused's accomplice has yet to be identified and arrested
Scene of offence pancha states that he appeared for a panchanama conducted at Campal and not at Tonca as stated by the police
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Court acquits Mumbai native of chain-snatching charge
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Panaji, Pooja Kavlekar has acquitted one Sultan Jaffrey from Mumbai in a case of chain-snatching registered by Panaji Police in February this year as the star witness categorically stated that the accused did not commit the offence.
As per the charge sheet filed by Panaji Police, on February 11, at around 3 pm at Tonca, the accused and his partner, who has yet to be identified and arrested, with their common intention used a Pulsar motorcycle to snatch a part of gold mangalsultra with gold locket worth Rs 15,000 from the neck of one woman while she was on her way to work. The motorcycle allegedly used by the accused has also not been attached.
The prosecution examined three witnesses in support of its case including the investigating officer.
Interestingly, the complainant’s statements before the police and before the court stand in contradiction to the charge sheet filed against Jaffrey.
In her statement, the complainant stated that she was at the gate of her employer’s residence when the offence occurred. One motorcycle with a rider and a pillion came from the opposite direction and the pillion snatched her mangalsutra and dupatta. As a result, the mangalsutra was broken with one part remaining on her neck as the two accused made away with the other part and a golden locket.
The rider was wearing a helmet and the complainant did not see his face. However, she recalled the exact clothes worn by the pillion and stated that she will be able to identify him if he was shown to her.
“It is pertinent to note that the witness has categorically stated that the accused was not the person who snatched her mangalsutra,” reads the judgment.
Besides, the scene of offence pancha stated that he appeared for a panchanama conducted at Campal and not Tonca, where the offence occurred.
The last witness, the investigating officer, also admitted that the accused has not been identified and as no other evidence was produced to connect Jaffrey to the offence, he was acquitted.
Meanwhile, sources have revealed that Jaffrey was initially arrested by Margao police in connection with a similar offence and that he was brought to Panaji on transfer remand.
