Two cell phone snatchers awarded 22 years in prison

A sessions court has awarded a collective sentence of 22 years in prison to two street criminals in cases pertaining to robbery, encounter with police and possession of illegal arms.

Edwin and Shahbaz were found guilty of robbing a citizen of his mobile phone and wrist watch and later opening fire at police when the cops signalled them to stop in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on January 10, 2024. One unlicensed pistol was recovered from Edwin and a toy pistol from Shehbaz.

Additional Sessions Judge (East) Shahid Ali Memon handed down seven-year imprisonment to the convicts for offence punishable under 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

He sentenced them to two years imprisonment for offence punishable under Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), five-year-imprisonment for attempted murder as punishable under Section 324, and one year jail term for offence punishable under Section 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) of the PPC.

Additionally, Edwin and Shehbaz were awarded seven years in jail for offences punishable under sections of the Sindh Arms Act. They were ordered to pay a collective fine of Rs110,000 or undergo additional imprisonment on default.

The judge noted that street crime had reached an alarming level, leaving the general public feeling unsafe at the hands of merciless muggers. "Thus under such circumstances, the release of accused based on minor or slightest contradictions would not be better for the society. Thus, the criminals who have created terror among the society and due to such kind of crimes, many innocents have even lost their lives and valuable belongings do not deserve any leniency," he said.

The judge said that the current situation of Karachi city is not so good for everyman because the street crimes have promptly been increasing day by day. "The unlicensed weapon is the mother of all crimes; therefore, in the betterment of the society, such offenders do not deserve any leniency and they are liable to be strictly punished in accordance with law, so that no one could commit such kind of crimes."

According to the prosecution, on January 10, 2024, the accused on a motorcycle robbed the complainant of his mobile phone and wrist watch near Bismillah Hotel, Block-5, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, before fleeing the scene.

They were arrested after an encounter with the police in Block 13-D-II, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, on the same day and one 30-bore pistol was seized from accused Edwin and one toy pistol from the possession of accused Shahbaz with robbed articles. Four separate cases were lodged against the accused at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal police station.