Police in Surat's Ichhapore area have taken three individuals into custody following serious allegations of molestation and sustained harassment against a 37-year-old widow residing in their housing society. The accused are charged with making lewd comments, using obscene gestures, and issuing death threats over a period of several months.
Chronology of Harassment and Threats
The victim, a widow who works at a diamond unit in Surat, lives with her daughter and a cousin. According to her formal complaint, the ordeal began when one of the accused, Mohan Sanghada, called her last week. Under the pretext of inquiring about her cousin, he allegedly passed lewd comments and molested her verbally during the phone call.
The harassment escalated the very next day. As the woman was leaving for work, the other two accused, identified as Uttam Mandal and Rajkumar Vasuki Singh, were allegedly waiting at the society gate. They reportedly made obscene gestures and passed lewd remarks at her. This pattern of intimidation continued when she returned home, creating an atmosphere of fear.
Death Threats and Police Intervention
The situation took a more dangerous turn on December 26. The victim stated that while a colleague was dropping her home, the accused contacted her cousin. During this call, they repeated lewd comments and threatened to kill him. This was not an isolated threat; similar menacing statements were reportedly made to the family during the Diwali festival period as well.
Exhausted by the persistent torment, the widow finally approached the Ichhapore police to file a formal complaint. The police acted promptly on her allegations.
Police Action and Legal Charges
Speaking about the case, Police Inspector AC Gohil confirmed the arrests. He stated that the victim's status as a widow made her a target for the accused, who had been harassing and threatening her for the past couple of months.
The police have arrested all three accused and booked them under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include:
- BNS 79 (Punishment for sexual harassment)
- BNS 351(3) (Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe)
- BNS 75(2) (Punishment for criminal intimidation)
- BNS 54 (Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation)
The case highlights the severe legal consequences for acts of molestation and criminal intimidation, especially those targeting vulnerable individuals.
