Court lets go molester for 'good behaviour'

A youth held guilty of molesting a woman has been let off on probation by a Delhi court on the condition that he would maintain a “good behaviour” and prove to be a “better asset” for the society in future.

The court convicted the autorickshaw diver after he accepted the charge of assaulting and using criminal force with an intent to outrage the modesty of a woman passenger during late night hours around six years ago.

The court released him on probation for a period of one year on his plea for leniency on the ground that he is a first-time convict and and has a family to support.

“I am of the view that the convict here in must have learnt from his past mistakes and want to join the society to display good behaviour and be a better asset for the society as a whole,” metropolitan magistrate Rachna T Lakhanpal noted.

“In the interest of justice and expediency, the convict be released on probation of good behaviour and conduct for a period of one year whereby he shall be required to keep peace and be of good behaviour,” the court said.

The court noted the CrPC has provision for releasing a person on probation if he is under 21 years of age and is held guilty of an offence, entailing a jail term of seven years or less.

The court directed the youth to submit a sum of Rs 20,000 as probation bond for a period of one year and asked him not to leave Delhi without its permission.

The case

The prosecution had told the court that the complainant woman had hired the autorickshaw in October, 2005.

As it was late night, the accused stopped the vehicle at a deserted place and molested her. She “somehow” escaped and dialled 100.