Maharashtra / Court said vulgar act in front of anyone is also sexual harassment will pocso act

Mumbai : A special court in Mumbai has convicted a 60-year-old accused in a case of child sexual abuse, saying that doing obscene acts in the presence of another person is enough to establish his sexual intentions. Special Judge Priya Bankar for Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act on August 29 convicted the accused and sentenced him to one year's imprisonment. The order became available on Thursday.

According to the prosecution, when the four-year-old victim went to the sewing shop of the accused near his house, he saw that the accused was doing obscene acts. The counsel for the accused argued that he had not called the boy to the shop nor did he go to the boy.

The court, in its judgment, said that it is true that the child had accidentally witnessed the man's movement but the accused's shop was small and any passer-by passing by could see his movement.

 The court observed that the incident has had a very adverse impact on the victim, her family members and even the society and there is a perception that the house and surrounding areas are not safe for the children. The court said that this may create a dangerous situation in the society.