Archive · 12 Aug 2025
High Court: Pulling Hand Not Molestation Without Proof of Intent
A man was found not guilty of molesting a woman by the Madras High Court.
The court said that just grabbing a woman's hand isn't enough to prove he wanted to hurt her feelings.
The man was originally found guilty by a lower court.
The High Court looked at what witnesses said and found that their stories didn't always match up.
The woman couldn't give evidence because of her mental condition.
The court decided there wasn't enough clear proof that the man meant to upset the woman, so they let him go and gave back any money he had paid as a fine.
Madras High Court acquitted a man previously convicted of molesting a woman.
The court ruled that pulling a woman's hand alone doesn't prove the intent to outrage modesty.
The accused was initially convicted under Section 354 IPC by a lower court.
The High Court cited witness inconsistencies and the victim's inability to testify.
The court overturned the conviction and ordered a fine refund, citing lack of sufficient evidence.
- Who
- Murugesan was acquitted; the victim is a mentally challenged woman.
- What
- The Madras High Court acquitted a man of molestation charges.
- When
- The original incident occurred in 2015; the acquittal was recent.
- Where
- Madras High Court in India.
- Why
- The court found insufficient evidence to prove intent to outrage modesty.
Original Prosecution
High Court
Interpretation of Evidence
Original Prosecution
The accused's actions constituted molestation and warranted conviction.
High Court
The court found a lack of concrete evidence to prove intent to outrage modesty, resulting in an acquittal.
- Court
- Madras High Court
- Accused
- Murugesan
- Original Charge
- Outraging modesty (Section 354 IPC)
- Verdict
- Acquitted
- Reason
- Insufficient evidence of intent
- Appeal Result
- Conviction overturned, fine refunded