DCW questions police's handling of Anand Parbat case

DCW today issued a notice to the Delhi Police, questioning the handling of the probe by the local police into the alleged molestation of a 21-year-old woman in Anand Parbat area and demanded the case be transfered to another police station.
Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal, in the notice issued to Delhi Police chief Alok Kumar Verma, said that the role of the police personnel should be probed as the victim has alleged that she is being pressurised to withdraw the case and demanded strict action if they are found guilty.
She also sought protection for the victim and the eyewitness.

"The role of the local police seems to be under question. The victim, in a complaint to DCW, said an FIR was registered only after the intervention of the DCP of the district. She also complained of being pressurised by police and the family members of the accused to withdraw the case," the notice read.
The Commission recommended that the probe into the case should be handed over to another police station and monitored at the level of the DCP.
"Also, adequate steps should be immediately taken by police to ensure safety and security of the victim," the notice said.

Maliwal said the person, who came to the girl's rescue,

and the victim's mother have alleged that he is being harassed by the local police.
"Policemen are threatening him that he will be booked under false cases. He has revealed that neither his statement has been recorded till date nor has significant pieces of evidence, including the lathi with which he was beaten by the accused, been collected from him," she alleged.
"The man has sustained injuries in his head and is scared of going back to his home in Anand Parbat. I was deeply pained when he informed me that his family has told him 'why did you intervene. Now face the consequences'.

Maliwal said this was a "sad development" that needs to be immediately corrected.
Citing the Nirbhaya case and Meenakshi murder cases, Maliwal said Delhiites remain a passive witness to crimes taking place and do not come out in support of the victim.
"The society is shamed when despite the presence of enough people to prevent the incident, brutal crimes against women are perpetrated because no one had the courage to come to the aid of the victim.
"In such a scenario, boys like the eyewitness in this particular case need to be protected. The state should set an example in such cases by coming to the immediate aid of such boys and men to boost their morale and set an example for others to emulate," Maliwal said in the notice.