Mumbai, August 29: Isn't holding someone accountable for their actions crucial in maintaining justice? In a recent case in Mumbai, a delivery boy was found guilty of sexual harassment after he winked at a woman and touched her hand during a grocery delivery in 2022. The magistrate's court ruled that the accused's actions caused significant discomfort to the complainant yet chose not to impose a prison sentence. This decision has raised questions about the court's approach to handling such sensitive cases and why the court chose such leniency in this case.

According to the Times of India report, the court found the accused guilty of inappropriate behaviour after he winked at a woman and touched her hand while delivering groceries to her Dockyard home in April 2022. Despite the conviction, the magistrate decided to impose a bond of good behaviour under the Probation of Offenders Act instead of a prison sentence, citing the accused’s young age and clean criminal record. ‘After Lunch, We Will Hear Your Matter First’: Elderly Man Collapses Inside Bombay High Court While Trying To Walk out of Courtroom To Receive Call.

The decision was grounded in the belief that a prison sentence would not serve the best interest of the young man, who was 20 years old at the time of the offence. The magistrate noted that such a penalty could irreparably damage his future prospects and social reputation. The court acknowledged the accused’s lack of prior offences and believed that a prison sentence would not aid in his rehabilitation. Bombay High Court Slaps INR 1 Lakh Cost on German Company for 91-Day Delay in Filing Petition in Patent Dispute, Says ‘Law Same for All, Whether Indian or German’.

Instead, the judgment aimed to balance the need for accountability with consideration for the young man’s future, as reported by TOI. The court also recognized the mental trauma suffered by the victim and mandated the accused to pay INR 2,000 as compensation. This financial compensation is intended to address the emotional impact on the complainant while ensuring that the punishment does not unduly harm the accused’s future opportunities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2024 08:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).