Mugger sentenced to 14 years in prison

A sessions court has handed down a collective sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment to a mugger on charges of attempted robbery and possession of an unlicensed weapon.

Farhan was found guilty of attempting to snatch the purse of a woman who was travelling with her husband on a motorcycle in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area in April last year. Additional Sessions Judge (East) Shahid Ali Memon ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its charges against the accused beyond any shadow of doubt.

He awarded seven-year-imprisonment to the convict for offence punishable under Section 393 (attempt to commit robbery) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Additionally, the court awarded seven-year imprisonment to him for possession of an unlicensed pistol. The convict was ordered to pay a Rs20,000 fine or undergo additional two-month imprisonment.

The judge observed that nowadays street crime was on the rise and no one could feel secure at the hands of merciless muggers. “Under such circumstances, release of accused based on minor or slight contradictions would not be better for the Society, as such criminals have created terror in the city, due to which, many innocents have even lost their lives and valuable belongings,” he added.

He noted that the accused possessed previous criminal record as the investigating officer had brought on record his previous record, according to which he remained involved different four cases. "By this way, he is habitual offender; thus, he does not deserve any leniency," he added.

The court put the case against fleeing accomplice on dormant file till his arrest. According to the prosecution, on April 25, 2024, accused Farhan attempted to snatch the purse of a woman who was travelling with her husband on a motorcycle at gunpoint in Block 10-A of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi. As a result, she fell from the bike, raising a hue and cry. Local residents gathered at the scene and caught the accused, while his accomplice Nabeel managed to escape.

An unlicensed 30-bore revolver, along with two live rounds, was seized from the accused. In his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), the accused denied the charges and claimed that he was innocent. Two separate cases were lodged at the Sharea Faisal police station.