Tarn Taran man jailed for molesting fellow auto passenger in Chandigarh

The accused, Jagbir Singh of Banian village in Khadur Sahib, Tarn Taran, was convicted under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code

A man who molested a fellow female passenger in an auto-rickshaw after she turned down his friendship proposal has been sentenced to two-year rigorous imprisonment by a local court.

According to prosecution, the accused had molested his fellow auto passenger after she turned down his friendship proposal. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The accused, Jagbir Singh of Banian village in Khadur Sahib, Tarn Taran, was convicted under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code. The court also imposed a fine of ₹1,000 on him.

According to prosecution, the incident took place on January 16, 2021.

The woman had left her office around 3 pm and boarded an auto-rickshaw from Tribune Chowk. Jagbir also got into the vehicle after a while. On the way, he suddenly proposed her for friendship, but she refused. Later, as the auto reached bear the Sector 28 light point, he touched her inappropriately. When the woman raised the alarm, he jumped out of the auto to flee. But he was caught by the woman and some onlookers near Centra Mall.

The prosecution examined three witnesses during the trial. While the prosecution argued that the offences against the accused had been proved beyond reasonable doubt, the defence argued that there was no independent witness and prayed for acquittal.