Not just stalking

Though stalking is an offence frequently committed, neither girls come forward to complain — given the police image and running around involved in pursuing a court case — nor the police, already over-stretched, likes to take on additional work. The Chandigarh stalking case has caught national attention since the victim and the suspects belong to influential families. Besides, public impatience with crimes against women is growing. The girl displayed unusual courage and presence of mind in calling for police help. Creditably, the Chandigarh Police responded fast. Since a politician's son is involved, politics has kicked in.

Going by the sequence of events narrated by the girl, the police has apparently mishandled the case — out of ignorance of the law or under pressure. It applied to the case three soft IPC sections — stalking, wrongful restraint and drunk driving. As one of the suspects tried to open a door of the girl’s car, it was no longer just a stalking case. The immediate grant of bail was therefore uncalled for. The case attracted Sections 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code. Speaking to media, the girl has alleged an abduction attempt. The police failure to slap the abduction charge has undone all the good work it did initially when the distress call was made. An impression has gained ground that the police is trying to let the offenders get away lightly. 

Such an impression is natural since one of the suspects is a son of the Haryana BJP chief and Chandigarh is under a BJP dispensation. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has tried to reduce the incident to an individual-level happening. When a senior political colleague’s role is suspect, hiding behind a routine non-committal statement that “the accused will be punished, if found guilty” will not do. The seriousness of the guilt has been diluted. Women in Haryana particularly need to be protected proactively. The next time Mr Khattar speaks on “Beti Bachao”, his words would ring hollow unless he starts taking more than casual interest in the safety of women.