Karnataka: Accused of molesting minor on plane sentenced to three years, court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000

A special court in Bengaluru, Karnataka, convicted a 51-year-old man from Tamil Nadu and sentenced him to three years in prison for molesting a minor on a flight from Doha to Bengaluru. The accused has been identified as Ammavasai Murugesan. The court also imposed a Rs 10,000 fine on him.

In June of last year, Murugesan inappropriately touched the minor on the plane while under the influence of alcohol. When the minor's mother objected, the flight attendant switched seats. After the plane landed at Kempegowda International Airport, the minor's father reported the incident to police. Murugesan was arrested by police on the basis of the complaint under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, but he was granted bail on July 27, 2023.

The minor testified digitally during the hearing as he was abroad. Last week, the Additional District and Sessions Special Court in Bengaluru Rural District convicted Murugesan under the POCSO Act. The court order said that if the accused does not deposit the fine, he will have to stay in jail for three months more. Half the amount of the fine (five thousand rupees) will be given to the victim as compensation.

The court has granted bail to Murugesan to appeal against the sentence as he was regularly present during the hearing and his behavior was also cooperative. Under Section 389 (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), he can remain out on bail till the expiry of the appeal period.