'Molester' BDO'

Vivek Chhetri,TT, Darjeeling, June 1: The block development officer of Mainaguri in Jalpaiguri district was sentenced to three year imprisonment and fined Rs 20,000 today for sexually harassing a minor three years ago.

He was granted temporary bail later today.

Public prosecutor Pranay Rai said: "Swapan Kumar Bhattacharjee (56), the block development officer of Mainaguri, was sentenced to three year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000, failing which he would have to undergo simple imprisonment for another year. The sentence was announced by Subash Kumar Kar, the additional sessions first court judge in Darjeeling."

"On June 4, 2013, the victim, who was 16 years old then, had gone to come to the officer to get her Madhyamik certificates attested. Inside his chamber, Bhattacharjee told the girl that she was very weak and feeble and asked her the reason for being so skinny," said Rai."The officer then advised the girl to wear a red inner wear instead of white and then put his hand on her chest. He also asked for her phone number and when she said that she had no phone, he even offered to give her a one mobilephone," said Rai added. "As the girl tried started running out of his the chamber, Bhattacharjee held her hand and kissed her palm and told her that he had developed an attraction for her and that he was infatuated by her. ," said Rai.

"The convict (officer) also assured to do all her official work whenever needed." said the public prosecutor.

The girl left and came out of the office crying and later told her the mother about the incident. , said the prosecutor. The court found him guilty.The sentence was announced today, however, granted "temporary bail" later in the day by the same court to allow him to appeal against the sentence. "He applied for bail and the court granted him temporary bail so that he can approach a higher court," said Rai.