A 30-year-old woman was allegedly beaten up by local women of ‘Sansi community’ in Narela on Thursday afternoon. The victim was instrumental in getting a raid conducted at a house of one of the attackers, over alleged bootlegging.
The woman, a member of Nasha Mukti Panchayat, was allegedly beaten up by one Asha and other women in JJ Cluster. This took place a day after liquor was recovered in a raid conducted at Asha’s house.
Video emerges
In a video that has emerged online, the victim can be seen crying and claiming that she was beaten up “stripped and paraded on the road” for raising voice against illegal supply of liquor in her area. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Rajneesh Gupta said that her clothes were torn but “there’s no truth to her being paraded naked”. The woman alleged that she has been gravely injured but Delhi Police Public Relations Officer Madhur Verma said that the medical report showed the injury was minor.
On Wednesday, Delhi Commission of Women chief Swati Maliwal along with police officers, the victim and other members of Nasha Mukti Panchayat conducted a raid at Asha and her husband Rakesh’s house, and recovered illicit liquor. “Asha and Rakesh were not at home. Their 19-year-old daughter Shweta was there. A total of 312 quarter bottles and 12 bottles of beer were seized from the spot and a notice was issued to the daughter,” said Mr. Gupta, adding that a case under relevant sections of Delhi Excise Act was registered but an arrest was not made because it was dark.
The victim’s complaint said she was thrashed to to take revenge for the raid. “A case has been registered under Sections of the IPC including molestation, voluntarily causing hurt, and criminal intimidation,” said Mr. Gupta.
“Two women have been taken into custody and being produced in front of the Magistrate to take permission to effect arrest,” said the DCP at 9 p.m. The police said Asha has nine cases under Delhi Excise Act registered against her whereas her husband has 21 cases registered.
Meanwhile, Ms. Maliwal said, “It is an extremely shocking and shameful incident. The Delhi Police has failed to curb the illegal liquor mafia operating in the Capital. There are repeated incidents of women getting molested by drunk men, and when these women raise their voices, this is what is done to them”.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also tweeted, “Utterly shocking and shameful that this is happening in the capital of India. I urge Hon’ble LG to immediately intervene, take action against local policemen and ensure everyone’s safety [sic]”.
