‘Slipped and fell’ on saleswoman, then kissed her twice: Mumbai man gets 1-year jail
A Mumbai sessions court sentenced a 34-year-old man to one year in prison for sexually harassing a saleswoman at a mall. The court rejected the defendant's claim that the incident was an accidental fall, citing evidence of intentional criminal force.
Why it matters
This case highlights the application of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) laws in India regarding crimes against women and the judicial scrutiny of defense claims in sexual harassment cases.
MUMBAI: Ruling that a natural reaction to a fall does not involve kissing the victim, a sessions court convicted and sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment a 34-year-old cleaner who claimed he accidentally “slipped and fell” onto a saleswoman at a Borivli (W) mall before forcibly kissing her twice last year.In a trial that lasted only 2 months, dismissing the defence, the court found Ritesh Armulla guilty of using criminal force and making unwelcome physical contact with explicit sexual overtures.“Even for the sake of argument, if it is considered a person slipped and fell on another person, the natural reaction would be different from the person kissing the person on whom he fell,” judge said.‘Enough proof that act was intentional’The offences are covered under Sections 74, assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage, or knowing it is likely to outrage, her modesty, and 75,…
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