Crime & the city: They stalk and scoff at laws

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 13

The recent incident of a girl being stalked by a BJP leader’s son has scarred the the city. Twenty-nine-year-old Varnika Kundu, daughter of an IAS officer, was almost kidnapped while she was on her way home. This pops up a question — is it possible for women to commute on city roads without a care. Sadly, the answer is in the negative.

Data shows the city has witnessed 50 cases of molestation and obscene act till July this year as compared to 84 reported the previous year.

While 50 cases of molestation and obscene act have already been reported in the city this year, several cases of stalking have also been registered here.

The UT Police have already registered 31 cases of rape at various police stations in the city as compared to 71 reported last year. Five cases of sexual harassment have also been reported this year.

Police sources said a large number of eve-teasing and molestation cases that took place at public places went unreported. “Victims ignore such incidents and prefer to keep mum as they want to avoid visiting police stations to file a complaint,” said a police official.

A 30-year-old woman, not willing to be named, said Chandigarh was perceived to be safe as compared to other cities, but the instances of eve-teasing and stalking have become a routine here. “I was once chased by a youth riding a white Scorpio from Sector 32 while I was on my way to Elante. The youth wanted me to stop, but I didn’t. Later, he disappeared. I didn’t report the matter to the police,” the woman added. In a bid to check such incidents, the police, in June, had decided to depute policewomen in civvies at all public places. Orders were issued to all SHOs to put policewomen on duty at the bus stand, railways station, shopping malls, markets and parks.