Accused in ITO molestation case faces stringent charges

The Delhi police on Wednesday filed the chargesheet against an accused who had molested a woman journalist from this newspaper at ITO Metro station on November 13.

The chargesheet has been filed against Akhlesh Kumar under Sections 341 ( wrongful restraint), 354 ( outraging the modesty of a woman) and 506 ( criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Making a strong case against the accused, the police has also submitted the CCTV evidence of the incident. Apart from this, the photographs of the incident have been developed and enclosed with the chargesheet.

Sources said that the chargesheet has highlighted the fact that the 25year- old accused had refused to participate in the Test Identification Parade. His previous involvement in the similar crime, the FIR for which was registered at Barakhamba Road police station, has also been included.

DCP ( Metro) Pankaj Singh said that the police has conducted an expeditious investigation into the matter and has filed the chargesheet in 14 days so that the trial could be completed soon. “We want a fast track trial to be conducted into the case and will strongly oppose the accused’s bail pleas,” he said.

After the chargesheet is filed, the court will first decide under which Sections of the IPC the accused should be tried in the case. Once charges are framed, the judge will start the trial in which witnesses will be examined by prosecution and cross- examined by the defence. The court will also take into account the material, which has been placed on record, in the case. The crucial material ( evidence) in the case is the footage of the CCTV cameras, which had caught the entire episode. Once witnesses are examined, the court will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to go for conviction. It is only after the conviction that the judge will decide on the quantum of sentence that the convict will have to undergo in the matter.

A city court had earlier dismissed the bail application of the accused. The court had observed that miscreants, who commit offences against women, particularly at public places, deserve to be dealt with firmly.

The ITO Metro station molestation case hit the headlines after the police lodged the FIR and arrested the accused.

◗ Making a strong case against the accused, the police has also submitted the CCTV evidence of the incident