Bengaluru Basketball Coach pleads 'not guilty'; trial to begin
Bengaluru Basketball Coach, Pramodh Kumar, has pleaded 'not guilty' to charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 & Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, in two separate cases registered against him by Koramangala Police Station.
The allegations primarily stem from Mr Kumar's stint as coach of the National Games Village (NGV) Club in Koramangala. Two FIRs were registered against him in September 2020 (as reported in Deccan Herald) based on complaints of female minor trainees alleging, inter alia, sexual assault and sexual harassment offences under the POSCO Act and the IPC. The accused Coach was released on bail in both cases in October 2020.
Subsequently, the Deccan Herald newspaper reported in August 2021, that over 20 girls have come out with similar allegations against the said Coach.
Bengaluru Basketball Sexual Assault Cases: what's next?
With the accused having pleaded 'not guilty' in November this year, the trial is scheduled to commence with the recording of evidence of the complainants and witnesses followed by their cross-examination. Thereafter, the statement of the accused will be recorded, followed by the recording of the defence evidence & witness statements. Finally, both the prosecution and defense will present their arguments and the judgment will be pronounced.
Readers can track the developments of these cases via the eCourts Services website & app (Android, iOS).
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