Pune: Two goons sentenced to 7-year rigorous imprisonment for robbing a two-wheeler rider; convicts have to pay Rs 15 lakh each under MCOCA

Pune: Two hardened criminals stopped a two-wheeler rider and snatched his gold necklace and rings. They apparently stopped him to question why he was eve-teasing the sister of one of them.

They were tried before the Special Court, which convicted and sentenced them to seven years rigorous imprisonment (RI) and directed them to pay a fine of Rs 15 lakh each under the MCOCA.

The verdict was pronounced by Special Court Judge (MCOCA) VR Kachare.

The convicts have been identified as Suraj alias Suba Ravindra Kamble (31), resident of Yerwada, and Nilesh Sanjay Saste (23), resident of Pimpri-Chinchwad. The incident took place in Kondhwa in 2016. They stopped a trader riding back home on his two-wheeler. They robbed him of his golden necklace and rings.

The then Sr PI Satish Govekar attached with the Kondhwa Police Station, who has now retired as an ACP, and his colleagues arrested the duo. A charge sheet was filed in the court. Since the accused had committed serious offences earlier too. They were booked under the MCOCA. The then ACP Ravindra Rasal investigated the case. Adv VM Fargade and Adv Pramod Bombatkar represented the prosecution.

Special Court Judge (MCOCA) VR Kachare convicted the two accused and sentenced them to 7-year RI and directed them to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 each under section 392 of the IPC, 1860. If they fail to pay the fine, they will have to serve a one-month simple imprisonment. They will also have to serve a 5-year RI and Rs 5 lakh fine each under section 3(1)(2), a 5-year imprisonment and Rs 5 lakh fine each under section 3(2) and a 5-year RI and Rs 5 lakh fine each under the MCOCA.

If they fail to pay the fines, they will have to face a one-month simple jail for each punishment.

The then Sr PI Satish Govekar (retd) and the then API Vishal Valvi investigated the case. Asst PSI Mahesh Jagtap worked at the court.