DCW chief molestation case: Accused sent to 14-day judicial custody

Harish Chandra, the man accused of molesting and dragging Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal, was sentenced to 14 days in judicial detention on Thursday. On Thursday, the Delhi Police detained Chandra, 47, and his automobile was confiscated. The Delhi Police had previously stated that DCW president Swati Maliwal claimed she was “molested” and “dragged by a vehicle” for many meters near AIIMS in the national capital during the early hours of Thursday.

According to Maliwal, she was with her team outside the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here at approximately 2.45 a.m. when the apprehended accused, Harish Chandra, a resident of Sangam Vihar area, looked to be drunk and approached her, according to DCP South Chandan Chowdhary.

In her police report, the DCW chief said that a guy driving a white automobile stopped close where she was standing and “made lewd gestures” at her.

According to Maliwal, he then motioned for her to sit into his vehicle.
When she admonished him, he reportedly left but returned a short time later and repeated his activities, according to authorities.

She was with her team at Gate 2 of the AIIMS, which is located in the Kotla Police Station area. According to Maliwal’s allegation, as she was standing on the sidewalk, a white vehicle approached her, and the driver offered her a ride and began urging that she sit inside the vehicle.

“When she refused again and went near the driver’s side window to reprimand him the man rolled up the car’s glass window and her hand got stuck and she got dragged for about 10-15 metres,” the DCP Chowdhary said.

According to a police official, a PCR call was made at 3.12 a.m., and a police squad led by ACP Hauz Khas arrived at the scene around 3.20 a.m., when the accused was caught.

“The police took a written complaint from Maliwal and sent her and the accused for medical examination,” the DCP added.

Sections of molestation (354) were also added in a complaint filed under the IPC. Sections 323/341/509 IPC and the 185 Motor Vehicles Act are also included.

An investigation into the situation is now ongoing. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of the incident and has written to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, requesting that he personally intervene in the matter and ensure that strict action is taken against the accused person, as well as that a detailed action taken report be provided to the Commission within two days.

“We have taken cognizance of the incident. This points a finger at the safety of women in Delhi. Though police have arrested the man behind this, why did such an incident happen in the first place?,” said Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, NCW.

Maliwal’s charges came only days after a 20-year-old woman named Anjali died after reportedly being dragged for many kilometers in Delhi’s Kanjhawala neighborhood.