Bengaluru: Special Court Convicts Man for Sexual Harassment of Minor on International Flight After 14-Year-Old Testifies via Video Conference From Abroad

Bengaluru, September 6: A special court in Bengaluru delivered a significant verdict on Tuesday, September 3, convicting 51-year-old Amawasai Murugesan for sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl on an International flight en route from Doha to Bengaluru. Murugesan, a public relations officer in Doha, was found guilty under the POCSO Act for inappropriate behaviour during the flight. The court presided over by Judge Saraswathi KN, delivered the verdict after the victim testified via video conference from abroad. The incident was reported by the girl's father immediately after their arrival at Kempegowda International Airport.

The case dates back to June 27, 2023, when a 14-year-old girl and her family were on a flight from Doha to Bengaluru. According to a report by Times of India, the accused, Amawasai Murugesan, who was seated next to the girl, allegedly consumed alcohol during the flight and began behaving inappropriately. Under the pretext of offering food, Murugesan touched the girl inappropriately. The girl's mother noticed the behaviour and objected, after which the matter was brought to the attention of the flight crew. Karnataka Molestation Case: High Court Declines To Quash Molestation Case Against Astrologer Accused of Touching Woman Inappropriately To ‘Fix’ Her Kundali.

The crew, recognising Murugesan as an unruly passenger, relocated him to a different seat to prevent further incidents. Once the flight landed at KIA, Murugesan was handed over to the police. The case was brought under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, reflecting the severity of the charges against him. ‘Let Her Earn’: Karnataka High Court Judge Questions INR 6 Lakh Per Month Maintenance Demand By Woman Divorcing Husband, Viral Video Surfaces.

In subsequent legal proceedings, the special court in Bengaluru, led by Judge Saraswathi KN, convicted Murugesan on September 3, sentencing him to three years in prison. The victim and her family had temporarily returned to their home abroad, testified via video conference. Despite the conviction, Murugesan was granted bail to appeal the verdict following his release from Bengaluru Central Prison, where he had been held for nearly two months.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 06, 2024 05:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).