Sexual assault in Paris: Indian businessman sentenced to three months in custody
An Indian businessman is tried in Paris for sexual assault against a hotel receptionist in Montmartre. The court sentences him to three months in custody.
Three months in custody for the Indian businessman tried in Paris
A 61-year-old Indian businessman, identified by the first name Anish, has been sentenced to three months in custody by the Paris chamber for immediate committal after sexually assaulting a night receptionist at a hotel on the Montmartre hill. Radio France - Justice reports the details of this case tried on Tuesday, the circumstances of which recall a high-profile incident that occurred in a New York palace fifteen years ago.
Anish had arrived in Paris on the weekend preceding the hearing to represent his country at the global summit on energy transition. An executive at a large electrical cable company, he was staying at this emblematic Montmartre establishment. He ultimately did not attend the summit that week.
Nocturnal trips to the hall, then a summons to the chamber
On Saturday evening, Anish comes down to the hotel lobby twice, claiming to drop off and then collect a parcel. The night receptionist notices that the guest is rubbing his trousers in front of him. Around 4 a.m., Anish calls reception complaining of an air conditioning problem. The receptionist offers him a fan and goes up to room 410.
Upon arrival, Anish opens the door wearing only underwear. He asks him to plug in the device. When the employee stands up, Anish is naked in front of him: he prevents him from leaving the room, proposing sexual intercourse, and then, faced with refusal, relieves himself in front of him. The receptionist leaves the premises "dumbfounded", according to his own words reported to the court. After overcoming fear of losing his job, he calls the police.
No material evidence, but testimony deemed credible
Investigators who attend the scene find no physical traces of the offence. A doctor diagnoses post-traumatic stress in the receptionist and gives him nine days of sick leave. Anish is taken into custody.
At the hearing, the defendant speaks in poor English, which is moreover poorly translated. He acknowledges having drunk that night and admits not remembering everything, but denies any reprehensible act. If his hand rested on his trousers, it was due to acute incontinence. If he was in underwear, it was because he was hot. If the receptionist could not leave, it was because the room is small. And if his hands were wet, it was because he had just washed them.
The prosecution requests a suspended sentence, the court imposes custody
The prosecutor acknowledges the absence of tangible material evidence, but considers the receptionist's account "clear, consistent and detailed". He requests eighteen months' imprisonment with suspension and a fine of 40,000 euros—equivalent to four months' salary for the defendant.
The defence lawyer attempts to reduce the case to "word against word" and pleads for dismissal on the benefit of the doubt. The court does not accept this argument. It imposes a more severe sentence than the prosecution's requests: three months in custody.
Anish, who was due to fly back to India on the day of the judgment, will extend his stay in the capital under circumstances he apparently had not anticipated.
Source: Radio France - Justice