Indian man in Singapore gets four years’ jail, caning for molesting woman in mall

Court documents said Sharma had met the woman for the first time that evening after a colleague shared his profile with her. The two met for drinks at a bar, where professional discussions turned uncomfortable when Sharma initiated sexual conversations and asked intrusive personal questions, Deputy Public Prosecutor Sheldon Lim told the court.

When the woman went to use the washroom and later returned, Sharma pulled her into a nearby nursing room. He kissed her forcefully, restrained her, and made repeated sexual advances despite her resistance, prosecutors said.

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What was Sharma’s defence?

Sharma denied the allegations, claiming the woman had consented and suggested going to the nursing room. His defence argued that she voluntarily engaged with him but became upset after he remarked about her bad breath.

The court rejected the defence, finding Sharma guilty. Prosecutors described the sexual exploitation as “extremely high” and the intrusion as “intense and prolonged”, reported PTI.

For the offence, Sharma faced between two and 10 years of imprisonment and caning. While his lawyer sought a lighter sentence of three to three-and-a-half years with fewer cane strokes, the court accepted the prosecution’s call for at least four years and six strokes.