Woman Alleges Sexual Harassment at Delhi Metro Station, Says Police Didn't Help

The woman said that she did not receive any help from the security personnel at the Jor Bagh metro station.

A woman was allegedly sexually harassed at Delhi's Jor Bagh metro station on Thursday, 2 June, and has said that she did not receive any help from the security personnel present at the station when she approached them.

(Photo: PTI)

A woman was allegedly sexually harassed at Delhi's Jor Bagh metro station on Thursday, 2 June, and has said that she did not receive any help from the security personnel present at the station when she approached them.

Writing about the incident in a long Twitter thread, the woman explained how a man asked for her help with an address while she was travelling on the yellow line of the Delhi Metro. After getting off at the Jor Bagh metro station, when she was trying to book a cab, the man approached her again at the platform to confirm the address.

"I peered into his file that he was trying to show me. At this point I noticed that he was trying to thrust his uncovered penis in my face. He attempted to do this thrice. As soon as I noticed, I got up and ran because I was scared and couldn't think straight. I approached a policeman standing on the platform, but he flatly refused to help me and asked me to go upstairs to talk about it."

The complainant said that she then went upstairs to find more personnel, who took her to the CCTV control room where she identified the culprit in the security footage.

"The entire incident was captured on the camera but then we saw him get into a different metro and leave. I asked them to do something about it but instead they started victim blaming me and said that I should've created a scene and that there's nothing they can do now since he managed to leave," she said.

What Has the Police Said?

The Delhi Police said that the incident, which had taken place minutes before 2 pm, had come to their notice after the Gurugram resident posted about her experience on social media around midnight.

DCP Railways and Delhi Metro Harendra Kumar Singh said that an FIR has been registered in the case and investigation is being carried out. He stated that the police was also looking into the allegation of the CISF officer not helping the complainant.

"She was immediately approached for contact details. Her residence was visited by the SHO and her statement has been recorded. On the basis of the statement, a case has been registered under applicable sections of the IPC. Investigation teams have been constituted to scan the electronic surveillance system in trains and metro stations and trace the movement of accused and nab him," Singh said in a statement.

"Further the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) has been in regular touch with her to counsel her and extend all necessary help," he added.

Meanwhile, Suman Nalwa, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Delhi Police, said on Friday that the Delhi Metro Police has initiated action in the sexual harassment case and the DCP Railways is investigating the matter, as per ANI.

Nalwa said, "We have taken cognisance of a tweet of a young girl who said she was sexually harassed at a metro station premises. Thereafter, metro police initiated the action. DCP Railways is looking into the matter and we'll nab the accused soon."

Nalwa added that the CISF control room inspected the CCTV footage and the accused was found to be travelling in another metro.

"Incident happened around 2 pm in the afternoon, the CISF constable might be off-duty that's why he directed the girl to approach the CISF control room. They inspected the CCTV footage & accused was found to be travelling in another metro."

Suman Nalwa, PRO, Delhi Police

She added that the police are in touch with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to immediately direct either the local police or metro police to initiate necessary action in such cases. "Youngsters should not be reluctant to dial 112 while having such a traumatic experience," said Nalwa.

DCW Calls for 'Strongest Action' Against Accused

Meanwhile, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter.

"A girl was sexually harassed in Jor Bagh Metro Station. She has revealed her terrible ordeal on Twitter. I have taken cognisance and issued a Notice to Delhi Police in the matter. Strongest action must be taken against the man and he needs to be urgently arrested!" DCW chief Swati Maliwal wrote on Twitter.

DMRC Releases Statement on Jor Bagh Incident 

The DMRC said in a statement on Friday that they have taken up the issue with the concerned authorities and Delhi Police is currently investigating the incident.

The DMRC tweeted, "The DMRC, as an organisation has zero-tolerance for any act amounting to indecent behaviour and sexual harassment. We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the traveling public at all times."

It added, "In the context of the recent incident reported at Jorbagh, we have already taken up the issue with the concerned security agencies. Delhi Police has already taken cognizance of the complaint and are investigating into the matter."

The DMRC further stated that the metro premises and trains are covered by CCTV cameras at multiple locations and the footage of this incident has already been shared with the police authorities.

It said that the trains are also equipped with Passenger Emergency Alarms (PEA) through which the passengers can communicate directly with the train operator.