Man gets 5 yrs RI for sexual harassment

Mangaluru: A POSCO court on Thursday, October 11 awarded five years rigorous imprisonment (RI) to a 34-year-old man found guilty of sexually harassing a girl over a three-year period.

The accused Ramesh from Kaikude Haripade was held guilty of the harassment charges, by the court, after examining 15 witnesses in the case despite the fact that victim’s mother and elder brother had evidenced in his support. 

Apart from the RI, Ramesh will have to pay a penalty of Rs 25,000 failing which he needs to serve an additional year of simple imprisonment. It was directed that a sum of Rs 20,000 out of the said fine amount be given to the victim as compensation. The court said that the victim can also claim compensation from the Legal Services Authority.

The sexual harassment had come to light only when the victim confided about the same to her teacher, during an awareness programme organised at the school to educate students about sexual atrocities. The teacher after gathering information from the girl approached the Mulky police and lodged a complaint. Mulky station inspector Ramachandra Nayak had filed charge sheet in the court after due investigations.
 
The accused who was well-known to the girl’s mother used to visit their house on a frequent basis. The girls family had, during the period between 2013-16, resided at houses in Pavanje, Kinnigoli and Chellayaru villages on a rental basis and it was during this period that the accused had taken advantage of her.

On the basis of the statements given by the teacher, medical report, and police investigation Judge B R Pallavi pronounced the victim guilty. Public prosecutor C Venkataramana Swamy argued the case on behalf of the prosecution.