13 July,2011 07:15 AM IST | | Sakshi Shroff
49-year-old interior designer blames police of trying to prevent her from lodging an FIR after three men assaulted her at a south Delhi pub
In yet another incident of police callousness in the Capital, the cops allegedly refused to lodge an FIR regarding molestation. The victim, 49-year-old Abha Saxena (name changed), an interior designer, was reportedly molested and beaten up inside a famous South Delhi pub by three vagabonds on July 4.
Straight ahead: A hoarding of the pub in question (highlighted)
where Abha (right) was molested. Pics/Rajeev Tyagi
A resident of Saket area in South Delhi, Abha had gone to 'Tonic', where the incident took place at around 9.45pm. While she was waiting for her friends, three inebriated persons approached her and tried to engage her in a conversation.
No bouncers at pub
"When I brushed them aside, they got angry and started arguing with me. There were no bouncers inside the pub so I went outside to call the security guard. I was amazed to see that no security guard was deployed at the bar," said Abha.
She also alleged that the accused then slapped and molested her. "I ran outside and made a call to the police control room (PCR). The PCR van came but instead of taking any action against the accused, the policemen started scolding me. They said there was no reason to call the PCR," she said.
As the police refused to lodge an FIR, a harassed Abha called up her lawyer. He advised her to get a medical test done. Abha then called her daughter to the pub, who took her to the AIIMS trauma centre. The test was finally done. However, Abha claimed her hands were badly bruised because of rough handling by the doctors.
Wait for FIR
"The PCR van and cops accompanying me disappeared after the medical examination. I then reached Hauz Khas police station myself," rued Abha. The tale of harassment did not end even then, as the cops tried to turn tables on an aggrieved Abha by questioning her about a man accompanying her.
Finally, an FIR was registered under Section 509 (outraging modesty of a woman) of IPC at 3 am, says Abha. The FIR, however, mentioned the time of reporting as 10.15pm. Also, they did not give a copy to the victim till the next day, citing technical reasons.
Three people have been arrested in connection with the case and an identification parade is likely to take place soon. Abha, however, is extremely aggrieved with the police behaviour and is prepared to take the matter further. "The police did not take any action against the bar owner for not deploying bouncers and security guards. I will drag the management of the establishment to court," she said.
Fact file
The bar is owned by the Kwality Group, which also has three other establishments in the same area. "When I reached the pub I discovered that the victim had already lodged a complaint. So, I just informed the Kwality Group Manager about the incident," said Ajay Pundi, the manager of Colour and Spice, who was also looking after Tonic when the incident occurred.
When contacted, Kwality Group manager Anuj Ahuja refused to respond to MiD DAY's queries.
A local police official said the CCTV footage from the pub is being analysed. DCP (south) Chhaya Sharma could not be reached for comments.
Past Imperfect
On, 14 October 2003, a 36-year-old Swiss diplomat was abducted and raped at around 10 pm in the same locality. The diplomat had stepped out of the Siri Fort auditorium after watching a film at the International Film Festival when she was lifted by two men from the busy parking lot of Siri Fort Complex and raped in her own Toyota Qualis. The diplomat was unlocking her car when a man pulled her from the back and another attacker pushed her in the car.The victim was raped in the backseat of the car while the car was been driven near the Safdarjung Development area. The two men left her at 10:3pm at Safdarjung Enclave after taking away her atm card and diamond ring. Once home, the victim called her friends, who called the police at about 11.30 p.m.
Remember Jessica?
Jessica Lal a model and celebrity barmaid was shot dead on 29 April 1999 at a crowded party in Qutub Colonnade restaurant in south Delhi. It was the seventh and last Thursday Special of the season where drinks were being served through discreetly marked 'QC' coupons. As it was a busy night the drinks were soon over. Siddhart Vashist a.k.a Manu Sharma s/o Vinod Sharma, former Union Minister Vinod Sharma walked up to the bar at 2pm and asked for a drink. Jessica refused to serve him drinks. He then offered her Rs 1thousand which she again refused. The inebriated and enraged Manu shot at Jessica twice at point blank range, out of which the second proved fatal. Jessica was rushed to Aashlok Hospital, but she was declared dead the same night at Apollo Hospital.
