RAJESH K.S.N. Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is before this Court calling in question proceedings in C.C.No.2108 of 2022 pending before the JMFC (III Court), Mangaluru arising out of charge sheet in Crime No.78 of 2021 of Mangalore Women Police Station registered for offences punishable under Ss. 376, 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 376C(a), 511 , 354A, 354B, 354C, 354D, 506, 384, 388, 389, 204, 203, 212 , 120B, 179, 202 r/w 149 of the IPC .

(2.) The facts adumbrated, are as follows:- The petitioner is a practicing Advocate. The 2nd respondent is the complainant. It is the case of the prosecution that the 2nd respondent, a second year law student of the SDM College gets to know the petitioner through one Mr. Dhruva Hegde, a classmate and friend. It is the case that the 2nd respondent was in requirement of work-cum-internship and, therefore, informs Mr. Dhruva Hegde to search out a place for internship. It is then Mr. Dhruva Hegde introduced to his brother-in-law one Mr. Shivanandana who was in contact with the petitioner. It is on the recommendation of Mr. Shivanandana, the complainant joins the office of the petitioner on 14/8/2021. It is said that the petitioner had narrated of the job and also indicated that the intern will have to stay up to 8.00 p.m. It was further informed that a stipend of Rs.6,000.00 per month would be paid. The job began from 18/8/2021 and days passed by. The petitioner is said to have befriended the complainant by communications through whatsapp messages. The complainant is said to have reacted to such whatapp messages without knowing the intention of the petitioner. It is further alleged that the petitioner used to send CCTV footage and pictures of the complainant and was continuously watching the private movements of the complainant like combing hair, washing face etc. through the CCTV footage and used to send the same as pictures to the complainant.

(3.) As days passed by liberty was taken by the petitioner for making certain comments with regard to the dress that the complainant wore and sexuality involved in such dresses. It is said that the complainant did not reply to such messages as they were inappropriate. It is then, the petitioner started sending messages like he began to miss the complainant and began to like her. Chats between the two galore and the chats lead to a particular incident. On 25/9/2021 it is said that inside the cabin the petitioner was discussing a case and at around 6.40 p.m. there was no one in the office except himself and the complainant. It is then the petitioner calls the complainant into the cabin, pulled her hands and kissed on the forehead. After the said act, he held her tight and made her to sit on his lap and began to unbutton the complainant. It is further said that he moved his hands on the private parts of the complainant and started to undress himself. The complainant traumatized by the said act pushed the petitioner and ran out and while so doing, it is alleged that the petitioner threatened the complainant that if she would reveal anything that has happened therein everyone would see her dead body.