Mangaluru: A Moodbidri court on Tuesday convicted a footwear store owner for sexually harassing a woman customer at his store in Dakshina Kannada, and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 10,500 on him.The incident occurred on Dec 12, 2021, when the woman visited a footwear shop to purchase slippers. The shopowner, Samshuddin, allegedly lured the woman into an inner compartment of the shop under the pretext of showing footwear. He then touched her inappropriately and outraged her modesty.Based on the complaint lodged by the victim, Mulki police registered a case under Sections 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 354(A) (punishment for sexual harassment, and 354(B) (ssault or use of criminal force to a woman with the intent to disrobe) of the Indian Penal Code. The investigation was carried out under the guidance of the then police inspector K Kusumadhara. PSI Vinayak Toragal arrested the accused and filed the chargesheet, with assistance from ASI Sanjeev AP.The case was heard in the court of senior civil judge and JMFC, Moodbidri. Judge Madhukara P Bhagawath pronounced the verdict. Public prosecutor Nethravathi Kotian represented the state.
