Harassing tourists could be a criminal offence soon: Sharma

NEW DELHI: We are exploring how we can bring this ‘lapka culture’ (culture of touts) to an end... These touts are a menace

MAHESH SHARMA, Union culture minister

Describing touts as a “menace”, Union culture minister Mahesh Sharma on Tuesday said harassing or touching tourists could soon be a criminal offence, even punishable under the provisions of organised crime. He said his ministry was in talks with the home ministry regarding this and has also spoken to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister to find ways to deal with touts harassing tourists, especially those visiting the Taj Mahal.

“We are exploring how we can bring this ‘lapka culture’ (culture of touts) to an end by bringing them under the ambit of serious offences and organised crime so that they can be booked accordingly. First, we will warn them, then we will identify them and then we will punish them...We want to bring this in by April 1. These touts are a menace,” the minister said.

: A seven-year-old boy was murdered and his body hidden in a suitcase for more than a month allegedly by a neighbour in northwest Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar, police said.

DCP (northwest) Aslam Khan said the boy, Ashish, had been missing since January 7 and his body was found in a suitcase on Tuesday. “The accused has been arrested,” Khan said. Avadesh Sakya was a tenant of the boy’s family till five years ago but later moved to another house nearby where the body was found.

Police said the accused was allegedly miffed with the boy’s parents as they objected to his habit of partying.

NEW DELHI