The accused allegedly approached the complainant near Fort Kochi backwaters and accompanied her on a boat trip. During the trip, he purportedly sexually harassed her through physical contact, according to the FIR registered by police
According to the FIR, the accused invited the woman to consume alcohol, which she refused. Representational image
A case has been registered against a Navi Mumbai resident for allegedly sexually harassing a foreign woman who had come to Kochi to attend the Kochi-Muziris Biennale art event, news agency PTI reported, quoting the Kerala Police on Monday.
According to authorities, the case was filed against Sumit Katare following a complaint lodged by a woman from Taiwan, who visited Kochi last month for the Biennale. The complaint was submitted via email after she returned from India.
As per the first information report (FIR) registered on February 7, the complainant befriended Katare outside Pepper House in Fort Kochi, a venue of the art event, on January 18, PTI reported. Though Katare invited her to consume alcohol, she refused, the FIR said.
The next day, Katare approached the complainant near the Fort Kochi backwater area and accompanied her on a boat trip. During the afternoon boat trip, the accused allegedly sexually harassed her through physical contact, the FIR stated.
In her complaint, the woman said that after the boat trip, Katare forced her to travel in an autorickshaw, during which he continued his “sexually intended misbehaviour” at around 5 pm, PTI reported, quoting police. When the woman refused to go with him, he allegedly followed her and continued to harass her, the FIR added.
Fort Kochi Police have registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for sexual harassment and stalking. The police said the foreign national has provided the accused’s contact details, and efforts are underway to trace him. They are also trying to contact the woman, as her detailed statement needs to be recorded as part of the investigation.
Maharashtra school headmaster held for sexually assaulting Class 7 student
Police have arrested the headmaster of a school in Yavatmal district for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old Class 7 student, officers said on Monday.
The 47-year-old accused, headmaster of a Zilla Parishad school in Ghatanji taluka, allegedly assaulted the girl on May 1, 2025, and again on February 5 this year, a police officer said, quoting a complaint filed by the child’s father on Saturday.
Following the complaint, the accused was arrested on Sunday, February 8, the officer added.
The officer also said that the accused lured the girl with fruits and makeup items and sexually assaulted her on both occasions. He allegedly threatened to kill her if she disclosed the offence to anyone.
The headmaster has been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rape and criminal intimidation, and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for penetrative sexual assault, the police added.
(With PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
