Indian national jailed, caned in Singapore for molesting a woman at mall
Singapore: An Indian national and Singapore permanent resident, Ankit Sharma, 46, has been sentenced to four years in prison and six strokes of the cane for molesting a woman inside a nursing room at Changi City Point mall.
Sharma was convicted of aggravated outrage of modesty for the March 1, 2023 incident. According to a PTI report, the incident involved a 31-year-old technology specialist recruiter. Court records showed the two had met earlier that evening for the first time after a colleague introduced them. During drinks at a bar, Sharma allegedly steered the conversation into sexual territory. He asked intrusive personal questions, as told by Deputy Public Prosecutor Sheldon Lim in the court.
When the woman returned from the washroom, Sharma dragged her into a nearby nursing room, kissed her forcibly, restrained her, and continued making advances despite her resistance. Prosecutors described the act as “intense and prolonged” and said the level of sexual exploitation was “extremely high.”
Sharma denied wrongdoing, claiming the woman had consented and had suggested entering the nursing room. His defence argued she later fabricated the allegations after he made an unkind remark. The court rejected this version and found him guilty.
The charge carried a penalty of two to ten years in jail and caning. While his lawyer sought a reduced sentence of three to three-and-a-half years with fewer strokes, the court accepted the prosecution’s recommendation of at least four years and six strokes.
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Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
