NRI held for molesting woman from US

NEWDELHI: A non-resident Indian allegedly molested a US national at a five-star hotel in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri earlier this week, police said on Friday.

The accused, a 25-year-old Anmol Singh Kharbanda, was arrested on Wednesday for an incident at Taj Diplomatic Enclave, commonly known by its previous name Taj Palace.

Kharbanda was sent to Tihar jail after a court remanded him to judicial custody for two weeks.

Police said Singh had told them he was a contractual employee for an internet giant in the US, but a spokesperson of the firm denied that he worked for them. Kharbanda and the 52-year-old woman were staying in different rooms of the hotel. He allegedly invited her to his room, tried to sedate her, and sexually assault her, police said.

Delhi’s additional commissioner of police BK Singh said the incident happened around 10pm on Monday night.

“Kharbanda, who works in California, had drinks with the woman in his room. She has alleged that he tried to grab her and molested her after offering her laced drinks,” said Singh.

The Taj Diplomatic Enclave spokesperson said they are cooperating with police in the investigations, adding that the woman had informed the staff and left the hotel after the incident. “We have been in contact with the woman guest, a formal complaint with the authorities was also facilitated by the hotel team. This matter is now under police investigation...Safety and security of our guests and associates is paramount,” the spokesperson added.

“Based on her statement, we registered a case of molestation and causing hurt by means of poison, at the Chanakyapuri police station. Her statement was recorded before a magistrate, after which Kharbanda was arrested,” said Singh.