Delhi University professor was allegedly assaulted by a snatcher at a petrol pump in East Delhi's Mayur Vihar- 3 after she resisted robbery attempt. The incident had occurred on January 3 and a case has been registered at New Ashok Nagar Police station. However, no arrest has been made so far.
It took place in daytime and there were scores of people present but none came to her rescue, said sources. "Initial probe suggests that it was an incident of road rage", said a police officer involved investigations.
The incident took place after the biker hit her and an argument broke out between the two, police said. The whole incident was captured in CCTV camera footage.
According to Omvir Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), "Based on the complaint filed by the woman, we have registered a case under Sections 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code against unknown person at the New Ashok Nagar Police station. We are scanning the nearby CCTV footage of the area to establish the identity of the person riding the scooty. Further investigation is on."
According to the CCTV footage, the woman was standing alongside her car at the petrol pump. “A bike-borne man, wearing a hoodie, suddenly came and hit her as she opened the door of the car. They began arguing after which she slapped him. Then the man slapped her in return and pulled down his hoodie. He is seen arguing with the woman and then punching her in the face before leaving from the spot on his bike,” said police.
However, the woman, requesting anonymity, said she had stopped at the petrol pump to refill her car before going to work. She alleged that the man had tried to snatch her bag. She managed to hold on to her bag and during the snatching attempt, the man fell from his bike. He allegedly abused and threatened her.
"There were many people at the petrol pump. But nobody came forward to help me. The man punched me hard and broke my specs. He used the choicest of words to abuse me. I asked the others to note down his bike's number. But no one responded and he fled from the spot," the woman said.
She informed police and a case was registered based on her statement. In a series of posts on her Facebook page, she alleged that she was assaulted at a petrol pump by a bag snatcher.