LNP – University student fined for sharing nude photo

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000 on a university student who pleaded guilty to sharing a nude photograph of a fellow female undergraduate to a WhatsApp group in exchange for Rs. 500.

In addition to the fine, the Magistrate ordered that if the fine is not paid, the student will serve six months of rigorous imprisonment. The court also directed the suspect to pay Rs. 50,000 as compensation to the aggrieved student.

The Cyber Crime Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told court, the suspect, also a university student, had shared the explicit photograph on a WhatsApp group after receiving Rs. 500. The suspect confessed in court that he did not know the victim personally and that he deeply regretted his actions, which he committed during his first year at university. His counsel stated that the suspect had been remorseful for over a year since the incident.

Further investigations revealed that the main suspect behind the incident is believed to be the former boyfriend of the victim, who allegedly instructed the accused to circulate the photo.Â

The CID informed court that inquiries are still ongoing into the main suspect.

The counsel who appeared for the victim told court that the incident had a severe emotional impact on the female student, pushing her to the brink of suicide. She has since undergone medical treatment and is now recovering.Â

Considering all submissions, the Chief Magistrate ordered the accused to pay Rs. 50,000 to the victim and directed the CID to arrest and produce the main suspect before court.