Representative image for an arrest.
Credit: iStock photo
Mangaluru: A local court in Moodbidri has convicted a shoe shop owner for sexually harassing a woman customer at his store in Dakshina Kannada district and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 10,500.
The incident occurred on December 12, 2021, when the woman visited a footwear shop to purchase slippers.
The shop owner, Samshuddin, allegedly lured the woman into an inner compartment of the shop on the pretext of showing footwear. He then touched her inappropriately and outraged her modesty.
Based on the complaint lodged by the victim, Mulki Police registered a case under Sections 342, 354(A), and 354(B) of the Indian Penal Code. The investigation was carried out under the guidance of the then Police Inspector K Kusumadhara. PSI Vinayak Toragal arrested the accused and filed the charge sheet, with assistance from ASI Sanjeev AP.
The case was heard at the court of the Senior Civil Judge and JMFC, Moodbidri. Judge Madhukar P Bagavath pronounced the verdict, holding the accused guilty of the charges.
Public Prosecutor Nethravathi Kotian represented the state.