DCW urged to intervene in Anand Parbat molestation case

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, May 19

Activists of the Centre for Struggling Women (CSW) have approached the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) seeking its intervention in a recent case of molestation and assault of a 19-year-old woman reported from the Anand Parbat area. 

In a letter to DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal, activists have accused the local police of “insensitivity and indifference” in handling complaints of rape, stalking, molestation and domestic violence as “highlighted” in the case in which they claimed the accused got bail due to the Investigating Officer's (IO) “very watered down approach” in the court. 

They have urged the DCW Chairperson to issue a notice to the ACP, SHO and IO of the Anand Parbat Police Station alleging “laxity” in the last week’s molestation case.

“An intervention by the DCW will also pressurise the local police to take a more gender-sensitive and intolerant approach towards crimes against women,” they stated. 

Meanwhile, residents of Anand Parbat criticised the local police saying it has failed to ensure safety of complainants and security of women in the neighbourhood while adding even in this case the victim was assaulted second time the very next day after the accused youth were granted bail.

CSW convener Maya John said residents in Anand Parbat are living in an environment of fear and high level of disillusionment owing to poor police patrolling and now with several instances of beat constables turning a blind eye to complaints, they have lost faith in the police here. 

CSW activists have pointed out that very conveniently the local police have argued in the media that since the accused were booked under bailable offences, there was nothing they could do to protect the girl.