Student sent for trial accused of repeated lewd acts outside woman’s workplace 

The man was allegedly captured on CCTV masturbating outside the woman's workplace late at night over three dates

Rishabh Mahajan, aged 29, and with an address at Smithfield, Dublin 7, has been sent forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk

A student allegedly captured on CCTV late at night performing lewd acts over three dates outside a woman's workplace in Dublin has been sent forward for trial.

Rishabh Mahajan, 30, from India but with an address in Smithfield, Dublin 7, was charged with three counts under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 for exposing himself to cause fear, distress, or alarm to another person.

Dublin District Court had ruled that the case was too serious and should be dealt with at a higher-level court which has wider sentencing powers.

Mr Mahajan appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly on Friday, and the prosecution served him with a book of evidence. Judge Kelly made an order sending him forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed for mention on October 9.

She agreed to a request from defence counsel Paddy Flynn, instructed by solicitor Tracy Horan, to grant legal aid to the accused, who remains on bail with conditions.

Alleged offences in 2024 

In an earlier bail hearing, Garda Patrick Hynes told Judge Kelly that the offences allegedly occurred on three dates over a fortnight in October and November last year.

He alleged that the man was masturbating outside the woman's workplace in the city's north side; the incidents took place between 1am and 4am and were captured on CCTV.

The defence had said the accused maintains his innocence.

The court heard that he came to Ireland last year, and had lost his apartment and university place due to the allegations.

Pleading for bail, the defence submitted that Mr Mahajan could not leave the country and would obey conditions.

Judge Kelly had described the allegations as serious but noted that Mr Mahajan had no history of failing to appear in court, and she ordered him to obey conditions.

He was warned not to contact the woman and that he must surrender his passport, reside at an address furnished to gardaí, and notify them of any change. Mr Mahajan must sign on at a Dublin garda station on a set day each week.

He replied, "yes," to confirm that he understood that breaching the terms could result in being remanded in custody and that he must notify the prosecution if he intends to use an alibi in his defence.