Madhya Pradesh Court Exonerates Bangle Seller Accused of Sexual Harassment After Mob Assault
Click to start listening
Bhopal, Dec 3 (NationPress) A district court in Madhya Pradesh has on Tuesday exonerated bangle seller Taslim Ali, who was detained for allegations of sexual harassment and for compromising the dignity of a woman in Indore in 2021.
“I had unwavering faith in the Constitution. The truth eventually prevails. I am grateful to everyone who supported me during these challenging times,” stated Ali following his acquittal of all accusations.
The Indore district court delivered its verdict, clearing Taslim Ali of all allegations, including those under the POCSO Act. He had previously been released on bail after spending a few months in custody.
At 25 years old, Taslim Ali, originally from Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act for purportedly inappropriately touching a 13-year-old girl.
The Indore Police detained Ali based on a complaint from a minor girl who accused him of inappropriate contact. The girl also claimed that Ali had introduced himself as Golu.
Before the police apprehended him at his bangle stall in Indore's Banganga area, a mob brutally assaulted him. Two Aadhar cards were found on him, igniting political controversy.
Ali had lodged a complaint at a police station, asserting that while he was selling bangles, he was verbally abused, threatened, and physically assaulted by a group of thugs. The mob also stole Rs 10,000 in cash, a mobile phone, the Aadhar card, and other documents, along with bangles worth over Rs 25,000.
He was taken into custody by the Indore police following the minor girl's complaint and was charged with offenses including Section 354 (outraging a woman's modesty), 354 A (sexual harassment), 467 (forgery), 420 (cheating), 506 (criminal intimidation), and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
However, the Madhya Pradesh High Court granted him bail a few months post-arrest, noting that the nature of the allegations did not justify his prolonged detention and that he had no previous criminal history.
