Student allegedly performed repeated sex acts outside woman’s workplace
exposure charge | He told Dublin District Court that the man was allegedly masturbating outside the woman's workplace in the city's north side
Courts of Criminal Justice in DublinA student was captured on CCTV repeatedly performing lewd acts outside a woman's workplace in Dublin, a court has heard.Rishabh Mahajan, 29, from India but with an address in Smithfield, Dublin 7, was charged with three counts under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 for exposing himself to cause fear, distress or alarm to another person.Objecting to bail, Garda Patrick Hynes told Judge Treasa Kelly that the offences allegedly happened on three dates over two weeks in October and November last year.He told Dublin District Court that the man was allegedly masturbating outside the woman's workplace in the city's north side; the incidents took place between 1 and 4 am and were captured on CCTV.Defence solicitor Mervyn Harnett said his client maintains his innocence. He said the man who came to Ireland last year lost his apartment and university place due to the allegations.Pleading for bail, the solicitor said his client could not leave the country and would obey conditions.The Director of Public Prosecutions stated his case could only be heard in the District Court if he pleads guilty.Otherwise, it must be transferred to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.Granting bail, Judge Kelly described the allegations as serious but noted he had no history of failing to appear in court, and she ordered him to obey conditions.The judge directed the disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence and ordered him to appear again next month to enter a plea.He was warned not to contact the woman and that he must surrender his passport, reside at an address furnished to gardai, and notify of any change. The defendant also must sign on at a Dublin garda station on a set day each week.He replied, "yes" to confirm he understood that breaching the terms could result in being remanded in custody.Legal aid was granted.
