Crime against women increasing, says court

New Delhi, Jan 17: Describing the "increasing" offences against

in the national capital as a serious public order problem, a Delhi court sentenced a 39-year-old man to one year in jail for molesting his neighbour.

Metropolitan Magistrate Ekta Gauba gave the jail term to Ajit Singh and refused to release him on probation saying it is a serious problem if women are not safe even in their own area from their neighbours.

"In view of the fact that convict Ajit Singh, being a neighbour, had outraged the modesty of the woman and also voluntarily caused hurt to her while outraging her modesty... "And in view of the fact that offence against women are on increase in the city and it is a well known fact that it is a serious public order problem if the women are not safe in their own area from the neighbours; and in view of the facts and circumstances, convict Ajit Singh does not deserve the benefit to be released on probation," the court said.

The incident took place in April 2005 when Singh stopped the woman in front of her house and molested her, according to the prosecution. The woman had also sustained injuries when she tried to free herself from the clutches of Singh. Singh had sought leniency on the ground that he has to support his aged parents, wife and two children.

While convicting Singh, the magistrate said, "I am of the considered view that the testimony of the victim is clear, convincing and reliable and no material has come on record which falsify her evidence and other prosecution witnesses have also corroborated the version of the woman."

PTI