Observing that a woman’s modesty is her “most precious
jewel,” the Bombay High Court has fined a man Rs 90,000 for throwing a chit professing
his love for a married woman at her.

Shrikrushna Tawari had been sentenced to two years of rigorous
imprisonment earlier by a sessions court and slapped with a fine of Rs 40,000
after the 45-year-old  woman lodged a
complaint on October 4, 2011. The woman, who lived close by to
the man’s grocery shop, alleged he had tried to pass on the chit to her but left murmuring “ I
love you” after she refused to accept it.

The woman had also accused the man of making obscene
gestures and warning her against disclosing contents of the note to anyone the
next day.

The man would flirt and throw small pebbles at her, she
had alleged.

The accused had challenged the sessions court verdict by claiming
the woman had filed a false complaint against him to dodge the credit amount
she owed to him for groceries.

Hearing the matter on August 4, Justice Rohit Deo of the Bombay
High Court’s Nagpur Bench ruled that the act was “sufficient” to outrage the
woman’s modesty.

“The modesty of a woman is her most precious jewel
and there cannot be a straitjacket formula to ascertain whether modesty is
outraged,” a Press Trust of India report quoted him as having observed.

Justice Deo further said he had no reason to dismiss the evidence
against the accused.

However, the court observed that the accused deserved a
chance to reform and as he had already undergone 45 days of incarceration.

It also directed the accused to pay Rs 85,000 as
compensation to the victim, and directed the trial court to ensure that the victim
is made aware of the judgement.