NEW DELHI: A fast-track court heard an unusual case in which both the accused and the complainant are foreigners. The rape case, in which the accused is Colombian while the complainant is Irish, allegedly took place at a Delhi hostel a year ago. This may be the first instance in which both the accused and complainant are foreign nationals and had to testify before a court.
Fast-track judge Satish Kumar acquitted the Colombian national, after the woman’s testimony said she was not sure if she was raped by the accused as she was asleep. The judge also noted that the woman had admitted she had consumed alcohol and felt its effects. “Since prosecution has not been able to prove guilt against the accused beyond reasonable doubt, the benefit of doubt is given to the accused,” the court said.
The woman said that she had arrived in the city on July 21 last year and checked into a hostel in the city. Her friend was staying at the same hostel and had introduced her to the Columbian. The two had dinner and drinks together, and the man told her he was attracted to her. The man reportedly said he respected her wishes when she said she just wanted to be friends.
However, later that night, the man allegedly came to her and tried to coax her to have more drinks with her. He allegedly tried to kiss her and refused to leave the room when she said no. The woman then called her friend who told the accused to leave her alone.
The woman’s complaint stated that she forgot to lock the door of her room when she went to bed. She alleged that when she opened her eyes, the accused was on top of her, sexually assaulting her. He left immediately when she said she was calling the police. She saw her undergarments lying at the edge of the bed.
The trial saw testimonies of 15 witnesses, including the woman, whereas the man denied all charges against him.
Fast-track judge Satish Kumar acquitted the Colombian national, after the woman’s testimony said she was not sure if she was raped by the accused as she was asleep. The judge also noted that the woman had admitted she had consumed alcohol and felt its effects. “Since prosecution has not been able to prove guilt against the accused beyond reasonable doubt, the benefit of doubt is given to the accused,” the court said.
The woman said that she had arrived in the city on July 21 last year and checked into a hostel in the city. Her friend was staying at the same hostel and had introduced her to the Columbian. The two had dinner and drinks together, and the man told her he was attracted to her. The man reportedly said he respected her wishes when she said she just wanted to be friends.
However, later that night, the man allegedly came to her and tried to coax her to have more drinks with her. He allegedly tried to kiss her and refused to leave the room when she said no. The woman then called her friend who told the accused to leave her alone.
The woman’s complaint stated that she forgot to lock the door of her room when she went to bed. She alleged that when she opened her eyes, the accused was on top of her, sexually assaulting her. He left immediately when she said she was calling the police. She saw her undergarments lying at the edge of the bed.
The trial saw testimonies of 15 witnesses, including the woman, whereas the man denied all charges against him.
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