Sessions court fines PhD scholar for insulting junior

The District and Sessions Court on Wednesday, slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 on a man for insulting his research assistant. The court also ordered him pay Rs 3,000 to the victim as compensation. However, the court acquitted him of the charges of sexual abuse made against him by the victim.

According to the victim, her senior and a PhD research scholar Manikanthan at a dental college in Deralakatte, had taken her to Bekal fort in Kasargod on December 8, 2009 and raped her, following which the girl became pregnant.

The accused, had promised to marry her, but later moved to Puducherry and did not fulfill his promise.

When the victim contacted him on phone in 2015, he insulted her by calling her a call girl. Following which, the girl tried to lodge a complaint with Puducherry police.

When the Puducherry police did not accept the complaint, she submitted a complaint to National Women's Commission, which referred the case to Karnataka state police. A case was filed at the Ullal police station.

After investigation, the court found the victim's intentional insult allegation to be true and held the accused guilty of it.

However, the court acquitted the accused of rape charges, noting that there is no truth in the sexual abuse allegation, as the accused and the victim had engaged in consensual sex. The court also directed the Assistant Commissioner to ensure the provision of a suitable compensation to the victim, in adherence to the Compensation Act.

Sixth Additional District and Sessions Judge D T Puttarangaswamy pronounced the judgment.