Duo get 7-yr RI, ₹ 1 lakh fine for robbing woman posing as health worker during Covid
Two youths have been sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a woman by posing as health workers during the Covid pandemic in Kozhikode.
Two youths have been sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a woman by posing as health workers during the Covid pandemic in Kozhikode.
Two youths have been sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a woman by posing as health workers during the Covid pandemic in Kozhikode.
Kozhikode: The Kozhikode Second Additional Sub Court has sentenced two youths to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for robbing a woman by posing as a health worker during the Covid pandemic in 2021. The court also imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh each on the convicts, Arjun (29) of Kanhirathinkal, Thamarassery, and Sandeep of Padinharu Vazhachandiyil, Kodiyora near Vanimal. The verdict was delivered by Judge Vandana.
The crime took place on March 13, 2021, at Kallamala near Vadakara. On the day of the incident, Arjun, wearing a mask and gloves, approached Devi Kripa house and introduced himself to Sulabha (55), wife of Ravindran, as a health worker. Claiming that her husband needed to visit the grama panchayat regarding a Covid vaccination matter, he ensured Ravindran left the house.
Arjun, who had earlier visited the house as a carpenter, returned once Ravindran had gone out. He picked up a Rishikrishna idol from the central hall, attacked Sulabha by striking her face, and snatched her 40-gram gold chain. His accomplice Sandeep then entered the house, assaulted her again, and rendered her unconscious. Sulabha suffered severe injuries, including fractures to her chin and nose, and also lost teeth. She had to undergo weeks of treatment and plastic surgery to restore her face.
The police team, led by then DYSP Moosa Vallikkadan and Chombala Station Inspector Sivan Chodoth, arrested the accused in the first week of April with the help of CCTV footage from Vadakara and Thamarassery areas.
The incident had drawn wide media attention at the time, as the culprits exploited the Covid emergency to commit the crime. The chargesheet was filed by Sub Inspector KV Umesh of Chombala station. Prosecutors Adv. Robbins Thomas and Adv. Kala Rani appeared for the state.