Man booked for sexual harassment

COIMBATORE: The Podanur police have filed a case against a 26-year-old man for sexually harassing a 29-year-old woman with learning difficulties at her residence in Podanur in the city on Sunday.
The accused was identified as Murali, a resident of Pillayarpuram in Podanur. “The victim was alone in the house after her mother, a labourer, left for work. Murali barged into the house and sexually assaulted her. The victim’s mother, who returned, caught him red-handed. But he tried to flee. He attacked some of the neighbours with a sharp weapon when they attempted to stop him. He is undergoing treatment in the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital after suffering a fractured in his leg when he attempted to flee,” a police officer said.
Murali had attempted to harass the victim several times in the past, the officer added.
Police registered a case under Section 323 (punishment for voluntary causing hurt), 324 (causing hurt by dangerous hurt), 354 (A) (sexual harassment), 376 (r/w) 511, 506 (ii) (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. The case has been transferred to the all women police station in Puliyakulam.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)