A woman from Mumbai took to Twitter and narrated her ordeal of reporting molestation to the Government Railway Police at Andheri. The survivor, who works as an attorney, in her lengthy tweet, said that she was made to wait for nearly three hours, and narrate the incident repeatedly to get the FIR registered.
Speaking to FPJ, the woman, on condition of anonymity, said, “I was commuting in [first class] ladies’ compartment to work and the accused boarded the local. He molested me as the next station was approaching and promptly got off the train. The incident shook me.”
When she reached the Andheri railway police station to file her plaint and told a police personnel she’d been molested, it was met with a baffling question, “What is molestation.”
She also received similar apathetic responses from the women cops present at the station; she added that her statement was recorded around 1.30 pm, nearly two hours after she approached the police and had identified the accused.
The survivor shared how she was told that she should’ve hit the accused or tackled him better and that she should be grateful for her “covered” formal attire.
After her entire ordeal, she was told by Andheri police that the case does not come under their jurisdiction and that they will transfer all details; however, to her horror, she was called in again to identify the accused.
Her tweets went viral and many slammed the cops for their apathetic attitude.
GRP Reacts
The GRP ordered an enquiry against the cops who allegedly misbehaved with her; they also apologised for the inconvenience caused in the entire ordeal.
“Ma'am, we deeply regret the inconvenience caused to you. The investigation is underway, and we appreciate your cooperation all day through. We have noted your account of our personnel's behaviour and will sensitise them accordingly," said the GRP.
When connected, Quaiser Khalid commissioner of government railway police, said, "Offence has been registered, the investigation is on, we are trying our best to nab the accused as soon as possible. We have also ordered an enquiry to examine the issue [the woman’s ordeal at the police station].”
According to sources, GRP has formed three teams to nab the culprit as soon as possible. The CCTV footage of all stations is also being checked.
The Mumbai Police reacting to the complaint said that the investigation is underway and that CCTV footage are being checked. They also said prima facie the man looks mentally challenged and was seen roaming partially naked.
No updates received
Speaking further, the survivor said that after her tweet went viral, she did receive a call from the Mumbai Police and a "generic" update. But since the communication last evening, she has received no update, the woman stated.
"It is was really angering that it [her ordeal] was seen as an inconvenience. Many don't even approach the police because of this. I spoke up because things need to be changed and I had the platform to reach out," she added.
