Mapusa court fines man for insulting modesty of woman

Panaji: A Mapusa court directed a man to pay compensation for insulting the modesty of a woman and intentionally insulting her to provoke a breach of peace.

The court directed him to pay compensation of Rs 10,000 to the complainant, of which Rs 2,000 is to be forfeited to the state.

The incident took place in Calangute in 2019, when the accused abused the complainant with filthy words, insulting her modesty at the entrance to her shop. The relations between the two were not cordial since 2017; they have their shops beside each other. The complaint alleged he abused her and her

mother, and also said that they were in the business of prostitution.

“...The accused herein, being one son, husband, and brother of one female, should have taken care to protect the dignity and modesty of any other women. However, in the present case, the accused failed to respect and protect the dignity of the complainant herein by abusing her in filthy language,” the court held.

It observed that a lenient view could be taken as the accused is 43 years old, a first-time offender, the only earning member of the family with three children, and the offences charged with are punishable with less than seven years of imprisonment.

“...As a measure of deterrence and to avoid future abuse, insult, or any other crime against the complainant herein, the accused is required to be directed to pay compensation to the complainant,” stated judicial magistrate first class, Mapusa, Nilima Kankonkar.

The court directed him to be released on probation of good conduct upon executing a personal bond of Rs 25,000 and to maintain peace and good behaviour for a period of three years. Upon default and breach of conditions of the personal bond, he is to receive a sentence when called upon by the court.