“Court Hands Three-Year Jail Term to Man for Sexually Harassing Minors in Public Swimming Pool”

By Manisha Sahu, America News World

September 29 , 2025

A special court in the city has sentenced a 35-year-old man to three years in prison for sexually harassing two minor girls inside a public swimming pool in March 2020. The verdict, delivered on September 24 by Special Judge B.S. Gare, comes after more than five years of legal proceedings, during which the accused repeatedly denied the charges and claimed mistaken identity.

Incident at the Swimming Pool

According to the prosecution, the first incident occurred on March 6, 2020, when a 12-year-old girl, a Class 7 student, was practicing at the swimming pool. During her time in the water, the accused allegedly touched her inappropriately. Shocked and frightened, the girl immediately left the pool and informed her female trainer about the incident. She also pointed out the accused as the perpetrator.

The girl’s parents were immediately called to the venue. At this point, another girl, who was also present at the pool that day, revealed that she too had been subjected to similar harassment by the same man. The revelations alarmed both the families and pool staff. Although the girls were hesitant to speak initially, police were informed the next day, and an official complaint was registered against the accused.

During the trial, the accused vehemently denied the charges, claiming that he had been falsely implicated. His primary defense centered around the argument of mistaken identity. He contended that there were approximately 30 swimmers in the pool at the time, which created confusion. Furthermore, he insisted that he had been swimming freestyle, a technique in which the swimmer’s head remains largely submerged. This, he argued, made it unlikely for the victims to have correctly identified him as the culprit.

The defense also highlighted what they described as discrepancies in the victims’ testimonies, particularly regarding the timeline of when they went to the police station. According to the defense, inconsistencies in the statements raised reasonable doubt about the credibility of the witnesses.

The court, however, rejected these arguments, siding with the prosecution’s evidence and witness testimonies. Judge B.S. Gare emphasized that the sequence of events demonstrated the credibility of the victims’ statements.

“The deposition of the victim and the swimming trainer shows that immediately after the incident, she informed the trainer and identified the person. So immediately after the incident, the victim identified the accused and also identified that accused before the court,” the judge stated in his ruling.

Regarding the defense’s argument about discrepancies in statements, the court observed that such minor variations are common in testimonies, especially when incidents are reported after some delay. “The mere discrepancy in the evidence of witnesses on the point of visit to the police station on March 6, 2020, is not material which creates doubt about the credibility of these witnesses,” the order read.

One of the critical factors that weighed in favor of the prosecution was the immediate reporting of the incident by the victim to her trainer, followed by parental involvement. This chain of reporting lent credibility to the testimony and ensured that the case was not viewed as an afterthought or fabricated allegation.

The court also noted that the trainer’s testimony corroborated the victim’s account, further strengthening the prosecution’s case. The fact that another girl independently came forward with similar allegations against the same man added weight to the charges.

The court sentenced the accused to three years of rigorous imprisonment under relevant sections of the law dealing with sexual harassment and offenses against children. While the sentence falls short of the maximum punishment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, legal experts say the ruling is significant because it reaffirms the importance of believing child victims and ensuring accountability in public spaces.

This case underscores the persistent issue of sexual harassment of minors in public and recreational spaces. Swimming pools, parks, schools, and other community areas are often assumed to be safe, yet instances like this highlight the vulnerabilities children face.

Legal analysts also point out that such cases are often difficult to prosecute because they rely heavily on the testimony of children, who may face pressure, fear, or trauma when recounting their experiences. The court’s decision to prioritize the consistency of the victim’s account over minor discrepancies in peripheral details is being seen as an important precedent.

While the families of the victims have not issued public statements, child rights advocates have welcomed the ruling. “The judgment reinforces the message that children must be heard and their testimonies given due weight. Perpetrators cannot hide behind technicalities like swimming techniques or crowd presence,” said a lawyer specializing in child protection cases.

The three-year jail term handed down to the accused reflects the judiciary’s determination to send a clear message: sexual harassment of minors will not be tolerated. While the sentence may not erase the trauma faced by the victims, it provides some measure of justice and serves as a reminder to institutions and guardians to remain vigilant in ensuring the safety of children in public spaces.