Assault coupled with police apathy

Police at a chowky allegedly refused to register case of woman who was hit by landlady's son

Police at a chowky allegedly refused to register case of woman who was hit by landlady's sonu00a0
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Even after two police commissioners in the city attempted to make crimes against women a serious issue, such incidents seem to be treated with apathy by police officers.

A 25-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted by her landlord's son in the middle of a busy road in broad daylight yesterday but police officials refused to register a complaint until seven hours later. Cops at a chowky where she first reported the incident allegedly looked on as the accused threatened to throw her family out of the city using his contacts.

The victim, Ruby Sharma, had rented a flat in Sukhwani Lawns, Ajmera Colony in Morwadi area a year ago and lived there with her husband.

"The flat owner wanted to sell the flat and had asked us to move out. We asked for our deposit money but she said she would give it to us later. We said we would move out once she gave us the money and she finally agreed to give it after much hassle. Even though we had moved, the landlady met me on the road today and picked a fight stating that I harassed her for collecting my own money," said Sharma.

Argument
According to her, the lady then pushed her and a big argument broke out. "A small crowd had formed by then. Suddenly her son arrived on a bike and starting hitting me while the crowd stood by and watched. After sometime, another biker stopped and helped me get out of there," said Sharma.

She then informed her husband Sunil who took her to Sant Tukaram Chowky near YCM hospital.
"The landlady and her son were called too and he started threatening us in front of the police. The police didn't say a word and we got scared as we're alone in this city and ran away without filing a complaint. By late evening, we went to Pimpri police station and narrated our story and they promptly filed a complaint," she added.

When contacted, the on-duty constable at Pimpri police station said, "We have registered a case. Sharma has mentioned in her complaint that officials at the chowky refused to take down her complaint."

At the time of going to press, a medical examination of her injuries was being conducted at YCM hospital.