An Indian-origin person, who is also a permanent resident in Singapore, has been jailed for four years and caned for allegedly molesting a woman at a nursing room at a shopping mall in the country.

The jailed individual was identified as Ankit Sharma.

According to media reports, he was charged with aggravated outrage of modesty.

The 46-year-old Indian national and Singapore permanent resident had contested the charge, claiming the victim had come on to him instead but was upset because he said her mouth smelled, reported CNA.

The incident reportedly occurred at Changi City Point.on March 1, 2023.

The victim, then aged 31, was a technology specialist recruiter at a company not named in court papers due to the gag order on her identity, reported CNA.

The victim had met him for the first time on the day when the offensive incident occurred.

A colleague had shared the Indian national's profile with the victim.

The meeting began in a professional manner, with discussions about the employment of Ankit and his wife, Deputy Public Prosecutor Sheldon Lim told CNA.

Later, the court found him guilty at the close of the trial.