Bengaluru, 9 Sept

A fast-track special court has sentenced a 51-year-old man from Tamil Nadu to three years of imprisonment for sexually harassing a minor girl during a Doha-Bengaluru flight. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Ammawasai Murugesan.

The incident took place on 27 June, 2023, when Murugesan, under the influence of alcohol, inappropriately touched the minor girl while on the flight. The girl’s mother objected to his actions, after which flight attendants changed their seats.

Upon landing, the girl's father reported the matter to Kempegowda International Airport police, leading to Murugesan’s arrest under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He was granted bail on 27 July, 2023.

During the trial, the victim testified via video link as she was abroad.

Last week, the Additional District and Sessions Fast-Track Special Court in Bengaluru Rural district found Murugesan guilty and convicted him under the POCSO Act.

The court has granted Murugesan bail to appeal against the conviction, citing his cooperative behavior throughout the trial and regular attendance in court hearings. Under Section 389(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), he can remain out on bail until the appeal period expires. PTI