An incident, raising serious questions on the issue of safety and security of women, has been reported from Indirapuram's Shipra Suncity where a man, identified as Nishant Kaushik, has been arrested by the local police following a complaint made by an US-based journalist. The 38-year-old scribe, who came along with her sister to cover general elections in January, alleged the accused of molesting, heckling and harassing her, following in his car for about an hour and passing lewd comments.
According to police, the incident occurred on Friday (March 29) around 10 pm when the victim was on her way to a grocery store.
"The 31-year-old accused, Nishant, started to follow her in his car but the victim ignored him and took a cycle rickshaw. Realising it, the accused continued stalking her. He further molested and passed lewd comments at her too," police added. Indirapuram News
When City Spidey spoke to the victim to know more about the incident, she said, "I visited three shops outside the society and the accused followed me everywhere! He again started chasing me in his white-coloured car when I boarded the cycle rickshaw from outside the society. This continued for almost 50 minutes during which he tried to stop me several times and when I ignored him and moved on, he started passing inappropriate comments."
Victim's sister further narrated the ordeal saying, "She informed me the moment she reached Gate No 6 of Shipra Suncity and alerted all the guards. I rushed to the spot immediately and a PCR call was made. The accused was inebriated and misbehaved with us when we tried to resist. He then tried to flee the spot but the guards caught hold of him and he was handed over to the police."
The accused, arrested by police, has been sent to jail while his car has also been seized. During the investigation, it was revealed that he was a resident of the same housing society where the victim had rented an apartment.
"Based on the complaint received, we have registered an FIR under IPC Section 354 D (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509," Sandeep Singh, station house officer (SHO) of Indirapuram police station, said.
The victim calls herself a freelance journalist, working with some media houses based in the United States, Canada and other countries. She is so petrified by the incident that she has decided to go back to her country.
This particular incident, other than recent ones, poses several questions on the prevailing law and order situation in the area and otherwise in the state. This issue becomes more contentious in this regard when you have women occupying key positions in the area and city.
Shipra Suncity is spread across a sprawling expanse of more than 225 acres and promises the accommodation of over 12,000 dwelling units. Over 5000 families are residing in the township.
