PANAJI
The accused has also been ordered to pay a fine of Rs 12,000 to the court and compensation to the tune of Rs 10,000 to the complainant and victim.
As per the chargesheet filed by Pernem Police, Shetgaonkar, who lives near the victim’s house made sexual overtures by touching her inappropriately and outraged her modesty by passing several remarks on July 29, 2013. On August 2, 2013, a foreigner stopped near the victim’s house to seek directions and then went on his way. Moments later, Shetgaonkar came out of his house armed with a wooden danda and hit the victim on the forehead and pushed her to the ground. Shetgaonkar’s brother arrived at the spot on a motorbike and as the victim screamed and informed him about the assault, Shetgaonkar took out the helmet from the bike and assaulted the victim again.
The prosecution examined eight witnesses and the defence examined Shetgaonkar’s brother in support of their case.
The victim’s sister-in-law, her cousin’s mother-in-law and her maid corroborated the chain of events as they were were eyewitnesses.
The medical officer attached to Community Health Centre, Parsem confirmed the assault and stated that there was swelling caused by a blunt object on the victim’s forehead and an abrasion on her left hand.
Court ruled out the defence case that it was the victim who tried to assault the accused with a wooden danda and instead, sustained injuries herself. The defence counsel argued that the foreigner was a Russian who had rented some space in the victim’s premises and that the family of the accused had objected on several occasion to the noise of his Bullet motorcycle in the courtyard.
