Stalking is a menace to society, says Delhi court

Stalking has become a “menace”, which not only makes women feel unsafe and nervous to move out alone but also violates their right to life and liberty, a Delhi court has observed.

Metropolitan Magistrate Susheel Bala Dagar made the observation, while convicting a man for stalking. The man was, however, set free, as the court sentenced him to simple imprisonment for seven months and 25 days, which he had already undergone during pendency of the trial, saying he showed “genuine remorse”.

“Stalking is a typical social crime, which violates the right to life and liberty of women in metropolitan cities. A large percentage of Indian women have faced or are facing this menace. Whether it is a public transport system or public place or shopping malls or multiplexes, women find themselves vulnerable to the threat of stalking everywhere,” the court observed. “In the light of facts and circumstances of the case, and by balancing the mitigating or extenuating and aggravating factors, I am of the opinion that the convict be sentenced to simple imprisonment for the period already undergone for the offence under Sections 354D/341/509 of IPC,” the court said.