HYDERABAD: All the convicted snake gang members, but for one, were sentenced to life by the II Special Sessions court on Wednesday. Faisal Dayyani, Khader Barakba, Tayyab Basalama, Mohammed Parvez, Sayyad Anwar, Khaja Ahmed and Mohammed Ibrahim have been sentenced to life and one Ali Barakba to two years.
The court ordered Barabka’s release as records showed he had already spent two years in prison. He has been fined `5,000. The court on Tuesday acquitted one of the accused, Salam Hamdi, for lack of evidence.
The eight-member ‘snake gang’ was allegedly involved in the gang rape of various women by threatening them with snakes. The gang used to pull a snake on victims to terrorise them into handing over cash. They also conducted kangaroo courts, settling land disputes while demanding huge commissions.
Gang’s house, a mini zoo
An officer in the investigation team recalled finding several animals in the palatial house of Faisal Dayyani in Barkas. ‘’They filmed all their hienous crimes with their phones. Only perverts can resort to things like these,’’ he added.
Bunch of aggressive lot
“They were a bunch of perverts who were just not willing to cooperate when we were interrogating them,’’ a senior police official told Express. “There were occasions when they would confront some of our men. They appeared remorseless and least bothered about the consequences they would face,” another official said.
Gangrape charge not proved
Public Prosecutor Ponnam Devaraju Goud said the charge of gangrape was not proved against the accused as the victim did not state this allegation before the court during trial. In August 2014, the gang had barged into a farmhouse on city outskirts and allegedly abused the victim after overpowering her fiancé, and terrorising them with a snake. They filmed the entire act and threatened to make it public by posting it on social networking sites if she lodged a complaint. The south zone police have now provided protection to the complainant after the court’s verdict.
‘Victory to Criminal Justice System’
Cyberabad police commissioner C V Anand, in a release, called the conviction a great victory for the entire criminal justice system. “This judgment will go a long way in sending out the right message to rowdy gangs operating in our capital area,” he said.
Declared themselves innocent
Recalling that gang leader Faisal Dayyani gave a tough time to investigators, an officer involved in the investigation said, “They had denied all charges and declared themselves innocent while in custody. We had to collect all the technical evidence to confront them.” . “They filmed all their hienous crimes with their phones. Only perverts can resort to things like these. They are a big threat to the society and they deserve it’’ added another officer.
