'Robbery Committed in Broad Daylight': Delhi HC Denies Bail To Accused
The Delhi High Court, on Friday, denied bail to an individual accused of committing robbery in broad daylight in a busy area of South Extension. The court further noted that the accused and his accomplice dressed up to "convey an impression as if they are police officials".
The bench of Justice Girish Kathpalia observed, "The alleged robbery was committed in broad daylight in a busy area of South Extension. Not just this, the accused/applicant and his pillion accomplice wore pants and shoes to convey an impression as if they are police officials. Further, they also used a lighter which looked like a pistol and snatched the bag carrying gold worth Rs.11,00,000/-".
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by one Ravindra Sharma. As per the complaint, Ravinder Sharma was informed by his friend Sanjay Sharma that gold could be purchased through Nepal, costing them 30% less than the price in India. Agreeing to the scheme, Ravindra Sharma, with his nephew Aman, went to the South Extension metro station with INR 11 Lakhs in cash to exchange for gold. Sanjay Sharma had informed them that they would meet a person, Deepak, who would take the cash and hand them the gold at the metro station. After the exchange, when Ravindra was walking towards their car, the accused, with his accomplice, approached them on a motorbike. These individuals were dressed in Khaki pants and police style shoes, with one of them carrying a 'pistol-like' object. They forcefully snatched the gold bag and questioned Ravindra. When Ravindra and his nephew tried to flee the scene, the accused individuals chased them on their motorbike. Subsequently, the accused individuals fled the scene with the gold bag.
Advocates Bibek Tripathi and Subhaker Tiwari, representing the accused, argued that the accomplice Sifarish Khan was already granted bail by the High Court. The accused, therefore, sought bail on the principle of parity. It was further submitted that Akhileshwar Kumar alias Sanjay Sharma was also granted anticipatory bail by the Supreme Court. Advocates Bibek Tripathi and Subhaker Tiwari also informed the court that the gold that was recovered was found to be fake.
Additional Public Prosecutor Manjeet Arya, appearing for the State, argued that the gold was not yet recovered and that the two accused individuals were proclaimed offenders.
The court observed that the case of Sifarish Khan was not comparable to the accused, as Khan had no presence at the scene of the incident and therefore, faced no direct evidence. Similarly, the Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Sanjay Sharma, noting that custodial interrogation was not required, as his role was limited to luring Ravindra into the transaction.
The court further noted that the accused was directly involved in the execution of robbery. It was noted that the accused arranged the motorbike with a fake number plate and drove it during the robbery. The court also noted that the robbery was committed in broad daylight in a crowded area, with the accused impersonating a police officer and carrying a lighter that looked like a pistol to intimidate the victim.
Given the brazen nature of the crime, the court deemed it fit to deny bail to the accused.
For Petitioner: Advocates Bibek Tripathi and Subhaker Tiwari
For Respondent: Additional Public Prosecutor Manjeet Arya