President nod for stringent law against chain snatching in Gujarat

Gandhinagar: The President of India has given assent to the Criminal Law (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2018, passed by the Gujarat assembly last year, which proposed upto ten years jail for snatching a necklace, purse or mobile.

Under the new law, the minimum sentence for those found guilty of snatching chains, mobiles or purses will be five years imprisonment, which can extend up to ten years. Under the earlier law, the maximum punishment was three years’ imprisonment. The government has amended Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code by adding two more sub-sections, 379 C and 379. Even an attempt to snatch will attract a fine of Rs 25,000 and a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment, which can extend to ten years.