"Woman Knows A Man's Intention When He Touches Her" Observes Bombay HC While Suspending Sentence Of Man Convicted Of Molesting Minor Actress On Flight

Justice PK Chavan heard Sachdeva's appeal against his conviction and the subsequent three year sentence awarded to him. The Special POCSO Court had allowed Sachdeva's plea for bail the same day and suspended the sentence awarded to him, granting him time for the present appeal. In February, Sachdeva moved High Court in appeal challenging the Special court's decision.

The actress, who was 17 at the time of the incident, took to social media and spoke about it, she had stated that Sachdeva was "constantly rubbing his foot against her back and neck" while she was trying to sleep in an Air Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai. She also added that despite informing the staff in the flight about the incident, they did not help her.

Appearing on behalf of Sachdeva, Advocate Aniket Nikam submitted that there were contradictions between the complainant's version of the incident and other eyewitnesses in the case.

The crew members categorically deposed that the accused was found sleeping throughout the flight and that no such no incident was noticed was by them, Nikam argued. He also said that his client's leg could not have touched the complainant's shoulder considering the distance between two business class seats.

To this, Justice Chavan said-

"There is no reason for her to lie and a woman may speak less but she understands more. It is a natural gift for a woman to understand touch. Look a man may not understand but a woman knows man's intention when he touches her. It is only the victim who can talk about the accused person's mens rea ."

Thereafter, Justice Chavan asked Sachdev's lawyer- "You (Sachdeva) were travelling in business class where you have a lot of space, then why keep your leg on someone else's arm rest?"

Nikam further submitted that neither the complainant nor her mother complained to the crew members and in fact 'she walked out of the flight smiling'. Court said -

"This is not mathematics. There is no straitjacket formula on how a woman should behave or react when faced with such a situation".

Justice Chavan added that every woman has experienced such incidents in local trains and buses.

Court noted that since hearing in appeal is not likely to be concluded soon and the sentence imposed is short, it can be suspended. Thus, the sentence was suspended till the appeal is heard. Sachdeva has been directed to submit two sureties of Rs 25,000 each and asked not to leave Mumbai without seeking prior permission from the sessions court.