In “self-defense,” a woman professor was fined Rs. 1000 for attacking a 61-year-old molester

Last Updated on March 7, 2024 by News Desk

Issue:

The case concerns a professor from Mumbai who was found guilty of attacking a harasser out of self-defense. On September 15, 2015, the event happened, and both parties were later charged in court.

Facts of the Case:

The 61-year-old guy who lived next door was accused of molesting the 34-year-old professor as she was cleaning the open corridor outside his home. In response, the professor struck the man with her umbrella, breaking his spectacles and cutting his face. On the exact same day, both sides filed lawsuits against one another, and the hearings were held concurrently.

Arguments Presented by Parties:

The professor’s attorney claimed that because she responded in self-defense against the harasser, her actions qualified as private defense. The court, however, dismissed this argument, emphasizing that it was a personal appeal and that it is improper for someone to take the law into their own hands.

Judgment Delivered by Court:

Though the professor was fined Rs. 1000, the magistrate found both parties guilty but was kind with him. The court stressed the dangers of attempting to enforce the law on oneself even if it accepted that her acts were impulsive and motivated by rage. In contrast, the molester received a year in prison, underscoring the gravity of crimes against women and the necessity of deterrent. In addition to underlining the growing number of offenses against women, the court stressed that a male cannot touch a woman sans her agreement. The court stressed the seriousness of the offense against women’s modesty and justifiably sentenced the perpetrator to prison, declining to give probation.

Written By: Nikita Shankar @nikitaashankar