A distressing incident of public harassment has prompted a young woman in Rajkot to take legal action, leading to a police investigation under the new criminal laws. A 19-year-old woman has filed a formal complaint at the University police station against an unidentified man for allegedly making sexually-coloured remarks and intentionally insulting her.
Details of the Harassment Incident
In her complaint, the survivor stated that she is employed with a private company located near Prem Mandir on Kalawad Road. The incident occurred on Sunday night. After visiting Pushkardham to purchase tea, she was returning home on her two-wheeler when the alleged harassment took place.
According to the complaint, an unknown man approached her from behind on his vehicle. He reportedly used inappropriate language to propose friendship. When the young woman clearly refused his advances, the situation escalated. The man is alleged to have turned aggressive and began subjecting her to a volley of vulgar abuses, which left her frightened.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
Feeling scared and intimidated, the woman managed to ride away from the spot. She later confided in her family members about the traumatic experience. Her family supported her decision to approach the police, leading to the filing of the official complaint.
Acting on her complaint, the University Police have registered a case under specific sections of the recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges have been framed under Sections 75(3) and 352 of the BNS, which pertain to sexual harassment and intentional insult or intimidation.
Search for the Accused Intensifies
The police have launched a full-fledged investigation to identify and apprehend the accused. A key part of this probe involves scanning and analyzing CCTV footage from the vicinity where the incident occurred. Officers are specifically examining video recordings from the areas around Pushkardham and Kalawad Road to gather clues about the unidentified man and his vehicle.
This case highlights the application of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in addressing street harassment and underscores the importance of community support and prompt police action in such matters. The investigation is ongoing.
