Cook molested UK diplomat in Chandigarh, arrested

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 8

A 21-year-old youth, a cook at a hotel in Mani Majra, has been arrested for allegedly molesting a senior diplomat of the British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh. The suspect is a repeat offender who has been found to be involved in another molestation incident reported by a girl cyclist earlier this year.

The suspect has been identified as Vishwas, a resident of Nayagaon and cook at Rebel Foods, NAC, Mani Majra. The footage of CCTV cameras installed in the area led the police to the suspect.

‘Grateful to police’

“We are grateful to the Chandigarh Police for their professionalism, courtesy and efficiency,” said a spokesperson for the British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh.

Used to eye women out on walk

The police said the suspect, while going to work early in the morning, used to drive through inner market roads of Sector 8, 9 and 10, and Sukhna lake. “He used to look for women out on walk alone and molest them at isolated places,” said a police official.

The police said the suspect had stopped a cyclist and molested her in June. The incident was reported to the police following which a case was registered at the Sector 26 police station. The police said the suspect, while going to work early in the morning, used to drive through inner market roads of Sector 8, 9 and 10 and Sukhna Lake. “He used to look for women out on walk alone and molest them at isolated places,” said a police official.

Police sources said the interrogation of the suspect revealed that he had also molested other women in southern sectors in the city. However, the incidents had gone unreported.

On October 6, the diplomat, a UK resident, had left home in Sector 9 on foot and was heading to the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) complex in Sector 10.

As soon as she turned left on the road towards the CLTA from the Hotel Mountview roundabout, a motorcyclist came from the rear side and hit her on the back. The complainant tried to chase the miscreant, but he managed to speed away from the spot. She then went to the CLTA complex and narrated the incident to her coach. The police were informed following which a case under Section 354 and 354-A of the IPC was registered at the Sector 3 police station.