Former Minister's Son and Associate Arrested for Harassing Women in Muzaffarnagar
In a disturbing incident in Muzaffarnagar, two men, including the son of a former cabinet minister, were arrested for allegedly harassing a woman and her daughter. The accused have been identified as Aryaman Raghuvanshi, 28, and his associate Surya Gupta, 18. Raghuvanshi is the son of former cabinet minister Sudhir Balyan, adding a political dimension to the case.
Incident Details and Escalation
The harassment occurred on Friday night in the New Mandi area of Muzaffarnagar. According to police reports, the two accused arrived on a scooter and began passing abusive and lewd remarks at a woman who was out for a walk with her daughter after dinner. The daughter, who is in her 20s, responded by starting to record the harassment on her phone.
This action provoked the men, who turned aggressive and dared the women to call the police. In a brazen escalation, the two men even entered the courtyard of the women's house, further intimidating them.
Family Intervention and Police Action
Soon after, family members of the women came out of the house, leading to a scuffle between them and the harassers. As the situation intensified, the two accused fled the scene. The family subsequently filed a formal complaint at the New Mandi police station.
Police registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 74: Assault or criminal force against a woman
- Section 79: Voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 352: Intentional insults aimed at provoking a breach of peace
- Section 115-2: Voluntarily causing hurt
Additionally, the accused were booked under BNSS Section 170, which authorizes police to make preventive arrests without a warrant.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Police quickly launched an investigation, examining CCTV footage and the video recorded by the daughter. This evidence helped identify and trace the accused, leading to their arrest within a few hours of the incident.
SHO Brijesh Kumar Sharma confirmed that the accused were produced before a magistrate, who granted them bail on Saturday. SP (City) Amit Jain stated that further legal proceedings are currently underway, emphasizing that the case is being handled with due diligence.
The incident has sparked concern in the community, highlighting issues of women's safety and the accountability of individuals with political connections. Authorities have assured that the legal process will be followed strictly, regardless of the accused's background.
