Mysuru: The City’s Fifth Additional District and Sessions Court has sentenced a chain-snatcher to eight years rigorous imprisonment after the accused was found guilty of targeting elderly women and snatching more than 1.5 kg gold ornaments from them. The accused is 26-year-old Somashekara Achari alias Soma of Mylasandra in Bengaluru.

The accused, who used to target elderly women and snatch gold jewellery, was arrested by N.R. Police in 2011. During interrogation more than eight cases had come to light and the Police had recovered one kilogram of gold jewellery from him.

Based on the jurisdiction of the crime, three cases were transferred to Kuvempunagar Police, who after conducting investigations had submitted a charge-sheet against him to the Court.

Judge C.M. Joshi, who heard the arguments from both sides, found the accused guilty of the crime and sentenced him to jail. Public Prosecutor Nagappa Nakman argued on behalf of the Government.

The accused had earlier served jail term and after being released continued the same crime. In 2018, Nagamangala Police had arrested Soma and recovered 1.6 kg gold ornaments and two cars from him.