Sunday, 30 March 2014 – 8:30am IST | Agency: DNA

In one of the speediest justice delivered, a metropolitan magistrate court on Saturday completed the trial in a molestation case within 20 days. The court, presided over by additional metropolitan magistrate Subhash Gulhane, convicted the accused, a 32-year-old salesman, and sentenced him to two years of simple imprisonment for having molested a 40-year old Belgium national on March 8, 2014.

According to the prosecution, the sole testimony of the victim was enough for the court to convict the accused under the newly-amended law that came into existence after the ‘Nirbhaya case’.

Public prosecutor Wajeed Sheikh, who spoke to dna said: “On March 8, the victim visited Cottage Industries Exposition Limited in Colaba, a shop dealing with antique material and jewellery, to exchange jewellery.

She was being helped by a salesman, Iliaas Shahinda, when the accused, Mehraj Ahmed, another salesman, came and sat next to her. Ahmed then started touching her inappropriately. Angered, the victim kicked him and fled. On March 10, she approached the Colaba police and registered a complaint.”

The police arrested Ahmed on the same day. During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused was originally from Kashmir, and was working in Mumbai.

“The police were very quick with their investigation. The charge sheet was filed on March 21, and the accused was booked under the newly-amended section, 354 (A) IPC (molestation).

“We examined four witnesses, of which one turned hostile. However, the testimony of the victim was strong enough to prove the charges against the accused,” said Sheikh.

When dna contacted the victim, she said: “I am a Belgium, and am visiting India for the second time. I am preparing to set up a company dealing with diamonds, gemstones, pearls and designed jewellery in Mumbai. I have just won a court case against sexual harassment that took place in a Mumbai store, which belongs to a company based in Delhi. The case was decided very fast with the active help and perseverance of the Mumbai police (Colaba district) and the state prosecutor. This is a very encouraging story after the 2012 December Delhi-gang-rape affair and several incidents of foreign women being raped and sexually abused in India. Although my case was not a rape case, the way it was dealt with is really a positive example of how India is now going about protecting the rights and dignity of women in society. I hope this story will light up the hope of all Indian women who have been hurt in similar fashion. Now that I have faith in Mumbai, I will set up my company in Colaba. After this September, I will move to Mumbai.”

 

Read more here — http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mumbai-court-conduct-speedy-20-day-molestation-trial-1973442

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