New Delhi: To fight increasing street crime in the capital, Delhi Police has started using a unique way to prolong stay of snatchers - both in hospitals and prison. First, snatchers and robbers are now being shot in their legs in case they challenge the police team and second, they are slapped with the harsher section under Indian Penal Code that is Section 307 (attempt to murder) which carries a maximum punsihment of life imprisonment. In a series of encounters, the Special Cell of Delhi Police has recently started shooting crimianls in their legs, injuring at least 15 criminals in October itself. All of them have been hospitalised. The cops say they are firing at criminals in retaliation and self-defence. Several cops have also been fired upon by the criminals, the cops have saved themselves with the bulletproof jackets but the criminals could neither save themselves from the bullets of the Delhi Police nor the IPC 307 charge, which is also non-bailable. This section is accompanied by IPC 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), which is again a non-bailable offence. By ensuring an encounter, Delhi Police is ensuring that the criminals who are creating havoc on Delhi roads are neutralised and dont get bail easily. The wounds too take months to heal. Till September this year, a total of 4,762 snatching cases across Delhi have been reported. Right now, a snatcher is booked under IPC 379 (theft), for which the punishment ranges from just a fine to a maximum of three years in prison. Snatchers can also be booked under IPC 356 (criminal force during theft), for which the punishment is a maximum of two years in jail. In the proposed amendment, sub-section 379 A will deal with simple snatchings, and 379B will be applied if physical force is used. Under the proposed amended law, the minimum jail term for 379 A will be five years, which could go up to 10 years; for 379 B, the jail term will be a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 14 years. In addition, a penalty of Rs 25,000 will be imposed in both the cases.

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