Two youths acquitted in robbery case

A local court has acquitted two robbery accused Hemant and Khempal, both aged 19 and residents of Mauli Complex, Chandigarh, after the prosecution failed to prove charges.

A case was registered on October 24, 2022, under Section 397, 452 and 34 of IPC at the Mauli Jagran Police Station, on a complaint of shop owner Sheshmani Pandey. He said on October 21 around 7 pm, he was setting up items in his booth at Mauli Complex when five boys pushed his parked Activa. When confronted, the boys entered his booth and forcibly took boxes of toffee and jam after hitting him with a sharp object. The shop owner sustained injuries.

The complainant alleged that they also took out money from his pocket and ran away. During investigation, accused Hemant and Khempal, along with three juvenile accomplices, were arrested. Finding prima facie case, charges were framed against the accused to which they pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

Ankur Chaudharie, counsel for the accused, argued that they were being falsely implicated in the case. He said there were contradictions in the statements of the complainant. Besides, the police also tempered with the boxes of eatables allegedly recovered from the accused, he said. After hearing of the arguments, the court acquitted the accused of the charges framed against them.