The Gujarat High Court has granted permission to the state government to present a data of pending cases of chain snatching in the state. The order came during the hearing of a bail application filed by an accused arrested by the Ahmedabad police for chain snatching.

The concerned Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) has written to the Director General of Police (DGP) to circulate an order in this regard in the Police Department so that the details are available by November 19 when the case is again heard.

According to the details of the case, the Ahmedabad police had arrested one Shailesh Bhatane on charges of chain snatching, in 2008. Bhatane’s bail plea was rejected by the concerned sub-ordinate court, after which he moved the High Court.

On November 6, the court of Justice Z K Saiyed heard the bail application. APP Chetana Shah opposed it saying that instances of chain snatching have increased considerably in cities in Gujarat because of which women cannot move around safely wearing gold chains or mangalsutra.

In support of her argument, Shah sought the court’s permission to present a report containing a data of pending chain snatching cases in the state to highlight the seriousness of the offence and its prevalence. Justice Saiyed granted permission and asked the state to present the report by November 19.

Shah said she has written to the DGP to issue proper orders to all district police heads so that the report could be produced in court at the next hearing.