Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 17: The third additional district and sessions court judge, Basappa Balappa Jakati, passed a judgement on March 15, sentencing a person accused of assaulting and robbing a man, to seven years jail term. In addition, a fine has also been imposed on the accused who has been held guilty.

The person who has been sentenced and fined is Sarfaraz from Casba Bengre. The other accused Saiful Faraz, is absconding.

Sangramnath Sharma from Odisha who worked as coolie in Baikampady industrial area was walking towards his rented home on July 28, 2017 through the railway tracks when accused Sarfaraz alias Chappu and Saiful Faraz approached him in the guise of finding time. They had threatened Sangramanath Sharma of murder if he failed to hand over his mobile phone and cash. When Sangramanath resisted, the accused dragged him by his hands, hit him in the head with an iron lock of the railway track, and escaped after robbing the mobile phone and Rs 2,500 in cash from him. A complaint regarding this incident was filed in Panambur police station and the then police inspector, Rafiq K M had probed the case and filed a charge sheet in the court.

Thirteen witnesses adduced evidence in favour of the prosecution and based on this, the crime of the accused has been established, the judge stated. He imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 in addition to seven years rigorous imprisonment. In case this fine is unpaid, he will have to undergo two months of simple imprisonment additionally. Seven years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 5,000 fine have also been imposed for crime under section 394 of the Indian Penal Code. If the fine is paid, a sum of Rs 7,000 is to be disbursed to the victim, and the complainant has to be given suitable compensation, the judge has directed the district legal services authority.

The prosecution in the case was represented by public prosecutor Narayana Sherigar.