A Mangaluru court has granted bail to a 58-year-old man from Navoor village in Bantwal taluk, who was arrested for allegedly harassing a degree student on board a KSRTC bus while plying from Puttur to Mangaluru.
The 4th Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mangaluru, S.G. Sunitha, on April 15, granted bail to Mohammed.
According to the prosecution, the victim, a second year BCA student in a city college, has been staying in a hostel near Mangaluru City Corporation. She had been to her native, Puttur, on March 26 for personal work. She left her house the next day at around 4 p.m. to attend a festival at the college. She boarded a KSRTC bus from Puttur at 5.30 p.m. She occupied the window seat and Mohammed sat next to her.
The student alleged that Mohammed touched her left hand and also her chest as the bus reached Mani. Mohammed behaved inappropriately when the bus reached Dasakodi, Soorikumeru. On warning by bus conductor, Mohammed got up from the seat and sat on a rear seat.
As the bus reached Kalladka, Mohammed jumped out of the bus and started to run. The bus was stopped and passengers followed to get him back to the bus. The bus went to Bantwal Town police station where conductor handed over Mohammed to the police.
On the complaint by the student, the police arrested Mohammed, the prosecution stated.
Contending that he is innocent of the alleged offence, Mohammed, a businessman by profession, filed application seeking bail.
The Judge ordered release of Mohammed on execution of personal bond of ₹1 lakh with one surety. He was directed not to tamper with witnesses and regularly appear before trial court on all hearing dates.
Published - April 18, 2025 07:25 pm IST
