Angry over an FIR against them, a gang of five ruffians, soon after getting out on bail, assaulted a woman and her mother for registering a case against them in Central Delhi’s Anand Parbat area. It may be recalled that Meenakshi, a 19-year-old girl, was murdered in 2015 in this area only for spurning a stalker.
“The accused identified as Sonu, Govinda, Chunnu, Bunty and Shankar were arrested on May 14 after a woman with her mother approached police and informed them how the group was stalking her, threatening and abusing her of dire consequences if she revealed anything to police,” said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat.
“Following which the case was registered in Anand Parbat Police Station under IPC Sections 354D (stalking), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention),” said the police officer, adding that the five were arrested on the same day.
“later on May 15, the five accused were released on bail, since the offence was of bailable nature,” said Bhagat. However, soon after their release, the accused persons assaulted the woman and her mother in full public view as they wanted to exact revenge. “CCTV footage was recovered from the spot where it showed how the main culprit, Sonu, took out his belt and beat up the complainant and her mother,” said a police officer, adding that a fresh case was registered in the same police station on May 15 under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 308 (attempt to culpable homicide), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
Three of the accused — Sonu, Channu and Govnida — were arrested while Bunty and Shankar managed to escape and are absconding. “We have sent out a team of police officials to suspected hideouts of the absconding accused and soon their arrest will take place,” said a senior police officer. Meanwhile, Sonu, Channu and Govinda were sent to 14 days’ judicial custody.