Indian man guilty of 'emotionally hurting' masseuse in NZ

A 63-year-old Indian man was today sentenced in absentia by a New Zealand court for "emotionally hurting" a masseuse at a spa, according to a media report.
Vastupal Pratapchand Ladhani, a resident of Mumbai, who was initially convicted on March 24 for "indecent behaviour with intent to offend" during a massage service. Later the charge against him was amended to "offensive behaviour".
However, Ladhani was granted permission to fly back to India owing to illness on furnishing a USD 10,000 bond, but did not return for appearing in the court for sentence.
Queenstown District Court Judge Christina Cook today ordered an emotional harm payment of USD 2000 to the victim.

"(The victim) was just doing her job and was affected by the manner and context of the statement and what occurred," the media quoted the judge as saying.
"There has been a lengthy history, largely due to the non-appearance of Ladhani having returned to Indian and now not returning for sentencing," the Judge noted in her order.