Man convicted for outraging modesty of minor girl

A Delhi court has convicted a man for outraging the modesty of a minor girl, observing that his intention was not innocent.
"In his statement the accused has admitted that he did kiss the victim and he did pat her on the back but with innocent intention. From the evidence on record, it does not appear that his intention was innocent.
"It appears from evidence that accused had the intention to outrage the modesty of the victim who was 14 years old," Metropolitan magistrate Bhavna Kalia said while convicting a south-Delhi resident.
According to the prosecution, the accused, who was a distant relative of the 14-year-old girl, on April 18, 2012 took her out in a car and misbehaved with her.

The prosecution also alleged that he, again on April 21, 2012, went to her house when she was alone and attempted to molest her.
The victim's father approached the police three days later and the accused was apprehended.

During the trial, the man denied all the allegations and claimed that he had only kissed the girl on the cheek.
The court observed that the girl was about 14 years of age and she was not of adequate age to give proper consent.
The court also observed that the evidence led by the witnesses were consistent and they have stood the test of cross examination.

"At the time when the offence was committed, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 was not applicable but the fact remains that the offence was committed with a child who could not said to have consented for use of criminal force," the court said while convicting the accused.