Raids on to nab accused of sexual harassment

MEERUT: Raids are underway to nab three youths accused of stalking and sexually harassing a 20-year-old woman in Pallavpuram area here and threatening her with “dire consequences” if the case lodged against them was not withdrawn.

SP(city) Maan Singh Chauhan said, “Teams are looking for the accused and they will be arrested soon.” The victim and her family had lodged a case against Asif, Ayub and Rehman in June last year, but no action was initiated against them.

Upset with the lackadaisical attitude of the police, the woman attempted self-immolation at the SSP’s office on Tuesday.

Later, she was taken to the SSP where she narrated her ordeal and demanded action against the accused.

After that the SSP ordered the suspension of investigating officers sub-inspectors Vinod Kumar and Shyam Singh for failing to discharge their duties, and also questioned the circle officer and the station house officer of Daurala regarding lapses in monitoring the case.

The woman said that on January 1, 2018, the accused barged into her house and threatened her to withdraw the case lodged against them.

To recall, police faced criticism for adopting an insensitive attitude in the case and for allegedly trying to twist the narrative by saying that the victim knew one of the accused and there was no incident of stalking or sexual harassment.