Convicted in sexual assault case: Indian man flees Canada

 

 

 

A 31-year-old Indian man has fled Canada after being found guilty of sexual assault and attempted extortion. H.B., a software developer who immigrated to Canada seven years ago, evaded authorities and fled the country.

He sexually assaulted an Indian woman who arrived in Canada in 2022. The two met through the dating app 'Bumble'. The court found that he had been constantly threatening and assaulting her using her private photos. He continued to harass her, saying that no one would believe her because she was new to Canada and that he knew the legal system well.

The court had declared him guilty on October 30. The next day, he crossed the border and reached Vermont in the United States. From Boston, he traveled to Zurich in Switzerland. It is also reported that he later traveled via Abu Dhabi.

The court sentenced the accused to seven years in prison in absentia in April 2026. The judge observed that the accused had treated the woman in a very cruel and humiliating manner. The fact that the accused was able to leave the country within the time limit before being sentenced, despite being found guilty, has been widely criticized as a flaw in the Canadian legal system. There is also a strong demand for strict security precautions to prevent such criminals from escaping.