The News Minute| January 29, 2015| 6.00 pm IST
A thirty two year old Indian working as a security guard in Tasmania has been let off without conviction by a local magistrate, in spite of the man having stalked two women.
ABC news had reported last year about this case and had first revealed the fact that Sandesh was accused of stalking two women in 2012 and 2013.
What is disturbing is that the court's judgement now seems to have bought his lawyer’s argument that stalking a woman till they agree for a relationship is ‘normal behaviour’ for Indian men, inspired by Bollywood movies.
Balinga, who is in Tasmania to study accounting and works part-time as a security guard, claimed that Bollywood movies contributed to his belief that a woman would eventually fall in love with a man if he pursued her enough.
ABC reports that Hobart Magistrates Court was told that the colourful, romantic films from Baliga's homeland contributed to his belief that if you persist, a woman would eventually fall in love with you.
The report also says that Baliga’s lawyer Greg Barns told the court that Baliga was from a ‘remote part of India’ and that Indian culture was responsible for his client's behavior.
The court heard that he texted, called and approached several women excessively, and had begun referring to himself as their boyfriend.
Judge Michael Hill noted that Baliga's "cultural background" helped explain why he did not appreciate the seriousness of his actions, which could be classed as criminal. His lawyer told the court that it was "quite normal behaviour" for Indian men to pursue women.
The judge adjourned the complaint without conviction.
He said the charges were serious but "after anxious consideration" he believed recording a conviction would affect Baliga's job prospects.
Hobart Magistrates Court was told that the colourful, romantic films from Baliga's homeland contributed to his belief that if you persist, a woman would eventually fall in love with you.
The court heard Baliga began texting, calling and approaching the women excessively after single, chance meetings.
Baliga ignored repeated requests from them both to stop, and they reported him to the police after he started referring to himself as their boyfriend, the court was told.