Navi Mumbai: A 34-year-old driver, Ramesh Dhondiba Parte, has been sentenced to three months of simple imprisonment and fined Rs 3,000 for committing public indecency. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by magistrate Mudassar Nadeem of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Belapur. In case of non-payment of the fine, the accused will face an additional 15 days in jail.
The conviction stems from an incident reported on November 26, 2018, when Parte had insulted the modesty of a woman through obscene gestures, a violation of Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The incident happened near Balmata Hospital in Koperkhairne as the complainant, a woman returning home from shopping, parked her car outside her residence. The accused, standing on the footpath, removed his pants and made lewd gestures toward her. The complainant, with the help of bystanders and her husband, managed to apprehend Parte, who was then handed over to the police.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence, including testimonies from the complainant, her husband, and a building watchman, all of whom confirmed the events. The accused’s defense, which argued inconsistencies in the evidence and the lack of a medical examination, failed to convince the court.
Magistrate emphasized the seriousness of the act, stating it was not only indecent but also a violation of the victim's dignity and modesty in a public setting.
