Mohali: Three men involved in a brazen robbery case in which they threw chilli powder into a woman’s eyes to incapacitate her before snatching a bag containing cash have been arrested. The crime, which triggered panic in the city, occurred near Mohali’s Kamla Market in Phase 1. Those arrested have been identified as Parvinder Singh, Chandan Gupta and Sachin Kumar. Police have recovered Rs 1.6 lakh from the three, SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans said.Deputy Superintendent of Police (City-1) Prithvi Singh Chahal, while addressing the media, said that under the directions of the SSP, Mohali Police launched a special drive to clamp down on thefts and snatching incidents in the city. As part of this initiative, Police Station Phase-1 cracked the high-profile chilli powder robbery case within days of its occurrence.The incident took place when Jamuna Devi was returning home after helping her niece, Anjala Sarma, close their confectionery shop in Kamla Market. While they were walking near the Mechanic Market area in village Mohali, three unidentified men on a motorcycle attacked them. One of them threw chilli powder in Anjala’s eyes, after which they snatched the cash bag and fled.Based on Jamuna Devi’s complaint, Police Station Phase-1 initially registered a case under Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against unknown persons. The case caused widespread fear among residents, especially women.Inspector Sukhbir Singh, SHO of Police Station Phase-1, led the team that traced and arrested the accused. During interrogation, the trio confessed to their involvement and revealed that they had initially identified the victims while travelling in an auto-rickshaw. After spotting the women walking alone, they planned and executed the snatching using a motorcycle.Police said the case has since been updated to include Sections 309(4) and 317(2) of the BNS based on further investigation. The trio are now in police custody, and further interrogation is underway to determine their involvement in other similar crimes. MSID:: 122185760 413 |