Snake gang members get lifer

Hyderabad, May 11: Pronouncing the quantum of punishment to eight members of snag gang, Ranga Reddy district court today sentenced seven accused to life imprisonment while eighth accused to 20 months of jail. The court yesterday convicted eight members of the gang who found guilty in various crimes including terrorizing people using snakes on city out skirts. The judge said the accused behaved in an inhuman manner and more dangerous who used poisonous snakes to terrorize their victims Total nine persons were arrested by the Pahadi Sharif police on July 31, 2014 on a complaint filed by a woman of sexual assault after scaring her and her friend at a farm house. Police had later found that the gang was involved in several similar cases - threatening girls with snakes and sexually assaulting them and extorting money from others. A total of 37 victims came forward to complain and 21 of them deposed before the court. Police have filed cases under various sections of IPC including Sections 376-D Nirbhaya Act, 323, 395 and 452 for gang rape, torture and dacoity. It may be mentioned here that the snake gang has created a scare among the people. It was reported that the gang members gate crashed in to a farmhouse on July 31, 2014 on the city outskirts and gang raped a girl in front of her boy friend. The accused were arrested by the Cyberabad police after a massive operation in the old city, in which 400 policemen participated.. The police filed cases against them under various sections of IPC. After a through probe, the police filed charge sheet against nine accused. An investigation revealed that the gang was involved in several crimes including extortion, and was also settling disputes. Conviction a victory for police: Commissioner Cyberabad police commissioner C V Anand today described the life imprisonment imposed by a local court to the members of snake gang is a great victory. Life imprisonment by a 2nd Special Sessions Judge of Rangareddy court on the seven main members of the infamous & notorious ‘Snake Gang’ of Pahadi Shareef is a great victory for the entire criminal justice system including the Police, prosecution and judiciary. This judgment will go a long way in sending out the right message to rowdy gangs operating in the capital area who occupy land and harass land owners, molest and rape women of and coming to their area, and generally spread fear and havoc in their bastions, the commissioner said. This conviction of the entire ‘Snake Gang’ will bring further improvement in the Safety of Women. The Cyberabad police will take legal advice whether to appeal or not for conviction under the section of Gang rape too, as they have not been proved here due to the silence of the victim. He appreciated the police personnel involved in probing the case. The commissioner had led the massive operation to arrest the culprits of snake gang.