Dog feeding row in society: Woman files molestation case

THANE : A 48-year-old woman, a resident of a high-rise along Pokharan Road No. 2, has filed a case of molestation against a committee member of the society. Thewoman claimed thatshe was molested because she had been feeding a sick dog on premises. The committee members refuted the allegations saying thewomanhadbeenwarnedseveral times against feeding dogs on the society premises.

The woman has registered a case of molestation against one of the society members in the Vartak Nagar police station. The society has put up a notice banning feeding of stray dogs anywhere on the society premises.

Thewomansaid,“Idonotfeed all the dogs. On October 7, my husband and I were giving food to a sick dog in the parking lot. The accused, a member of the society committee, was taking photos. I objected, but he did not stop. He also made obscene gestures at me to intimidate me. This was when my husband intervened and there was a fight between the two.”

She claimed that none of the society members intervened when the man was taking her photos or making obscene gestures. She said, “I requested the society members to check the CCTV footage and take appropriateaction. But, nooneshowed any interest. On October 28, I lodged a complaint.”

The housingsocietymembers said the allegations were baseless. A society member, who did not wish to be named, said, “One of our office-bearers saw the complainant feeding stray dogs on the premises and tried to stop her. Her husband assaulted the complainant. We have checked the CCTV footage and did not see any obscene gestures. Our women committee, too, has gone through the entire footage. We have submitted the CCTV footage and the report of the committee to the police.”

The Vartak Nagar police said they have registered a case. “We have called the committee members and asked for the CCTV footage for investigation. No arrest has been made,” said a police officer.