In an incident which highlights the insecurity of women in the national Capital, a 28-year-old Spanish journalist working with EFE, a Spanish international news agency, was subjected to obscene behavior by an auto driver near India Gate. The woman had hired his auto from Barakhamba Road for her residence in Greater Kailash in South Delhi.
Totally taken aback by the behavior of the driver, she ran out of the auto to save herself. By the time she took out her phone to click, he sped away. The journalist called her friends who took her to Tilak Marg police station to register a case. The police is on the hunt for the auto driver.
The incident took place on the night of May 5. The victim after work around 9.30 pm had hired the autorickshaw from Barakhamba Road for her residence in Greater Kailash-I.
“The auto driver asked for Rs 120 for the ride which I agreed. On the way, he stopped close to India Gate to make a call. That lasted a few minutes after which he continued driving,” the journalist told the police.
Thereafter the driver stopped the auto near the Delhi High Court premises, close to the T-point of Mathura Road, turned back and in her view began jerking off. “I felt very insecure; it was dark and no people around. I was very scared and ran out of the vehicle,” said the victim.
The woman immediately flipped out her phone in order to take a photo of the auto and the driver but the accused sped away from the spot.
“I called up my colleague and took another auto to get home. Once I arrived at my residence, I told about the incident to my friend who took me to the police station the next day to register a case on my complaint. I can recognize the auto and the driver if I see him. I hope action will be taken against the perpetrator as soon as possible ,” the victim said.
Based on the complaint of the victim, the police has registered a case under Sections 294 (obscene acts and songs), 354A (sexual harassment) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.
Recently, The Pioneer had reported a similar incident of a German national being allegedly molested by her landlord in South Delhi’s Hauz Khas. Police has not arrested the landlord yet. The victim had left the country after the incident and has not joined the investigations despite the police sending emails to her. Her statement has not been recorded yet.