Bangle seller Tasleem Ali acquitted of all charges in 2021 Indore molestation case
Indore: Tasleem Ali, a bangle seller from Uttar Pradesh who faced severe physical assault, public humiliation, and nearly four months in jail in 2021 on charges of molesting a minor, has been acquitted of all charges by a court in Madhya Pradesh.
The additional sessions court in Indore delivered the verdict on Monday, citing a lack of evidence and contradictions in witness statements. Tasleem, who hails from Hardoi, was accused of hiding his identity while selling bangles in the narrow lanes of Indore’s Banganaga area on August 22, 2021. A video that went viral showed him being thrashed by an angry mob, which triggered widespread attention.
Following the incident, he was booked under multiple sections, including Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (outraging the modesty of a woman) and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. According to the FIR, the minor girl had alleged that Tasleem held her hand, touched her cheeks, and made inappropriate comments. He was also accused of threatening to kill her.
However, during the trial, the minor retracted her statement, claiming she did not recognize Tasleem and was unaware of the events of August 22. Her parents also denied any knowledge of the incident or association with the accused.
The court's judgment, penned by Judge Rashmi Walter, stated, “After investigating and cross-questioning the witnesses, it has not been established that the accused held the minor’s hand or used force with an intention to molest her. Nor is there any evidence that he threatened the minor. Further, it could not be established that Tasleem intentionally tried to mislead the minor’s parents by showing any fraudulent identity card.”
Tasleem’s lawyer, Aslim Ali, told ThePrint that the accusations were fabricated after the viral video of the mob assault caused an uproar. "Tasleem himself had registered a case against those who attacked him. In retaliation, they lodged a fraudulent case of molestation two days later," he said.
The allegations about Tasleem having multiple identities due to differing names in official documents were also addressed during the investigation. It was found that discrepancies in names—where he and his father were referred to by several aliases—were due to clerical errors, not fraudulent intent.
The ordeal left a lasting impact on Tasleem and his family. Following the incident, Tasleem and his brothers stopped selling bangles door-to-door in Indore. Irfan Ali, Tasleem’s younger brother, shared, “We have now rented a small shop in Akola, Maharashtra. It’s not as profitable, but we prefer earning with dignity rather than facing abuse for no fault of ours.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Araijeet's four goals hand India 5th title in men's junior Asia Cup
Muscat, Dec 4: Araijeet Singh Hundal slammed four goals as defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in the summit clash to win a hat-trick of titles in the men's junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday.
This was India's fifth title in the continental tournament, having previously won the crown in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023.
The tournament was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Araijeet converted three penalty corners in the fourth, 18th and 54th minutes besides finding the net from a field effort in the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh (19th) was the other goal getter for India.
For Pakistan, Sufyan Khan (30th, 39th) converted two penalty corners, while Hannan Shahid scored from field play in the third minute.
Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1 to claim the third spot earlier in the day.
There was hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as both India and Pakistan fought hard for ball possession in the first quarter.
The highlight of the first quarter was ariel passes employed by both the teams.
But Pakistan had the first laugh, striking as early as the third minute through a field goal from Shahid.
India didn't sit back and secured their first penalty corner seconds later, and Araijeet stepped up to draw level with a powerful drag-flick to the right of Pakistan goalkeeper.
India upped their game in the second quarter and secured their second penalty corner in the 18th minute and Araijeet struck again with another powerful flick.
A minute later, a fine field goal by Dilraj extended India's lead to 3-1.
Pakistan, however, reduced the margin in the 30th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
Pakistan were the better side on display after the change of ends and they drew level in the 39th minute through another penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
India secured their third penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Araijeet's effort was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua.
Araijeet, however, was not to be denied his hat-trick as he found the net from a field effort seconds later to hand India the lead again.
India pressed hard on the Pakistan citadel in the final 10 minutes and secured a few more penalty corners and Araijeet found the net again from a fine variation to make the scoreline 5-3.
