On the second day of the hearing in the high-profile rape case involving French embassy official Pascal Mazurier, the prosecution submitted to the court that the accused be tried for both rape and sodomy.
The prosecution argued that while the charge sheet accuses him of sexually abusing his three-and-half year-old daughter, several statements of doctors and examiners have indicated that the child was sodomised. “There is sufficient evidence to prove both charges,” said B.T. Venkatesh, special public prosecutor appointed by the State government, presenting the case at the Fast Track Court Number 10 of the City Civil Court. Mr. Mazurier is facing trial for sexually abusing his daughter. He also said the case should be tried under the new rape law, passed recently by Parliament and pending the President’s approval. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013, which once notified, will replace the ordinance. The law, which makes punishment for sexual assault more severe and changes aspects of the existing Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act, is retrospective in nature, the prosecution argued.
After hearing the special public prosecutor’s arguments, the court adjourned the case to April 8. Mr. Mazurier’s wife, Suja Jones (37), who filed the complaint in July 2012, was present at the hearing.
