Kolkata, Sept. 22 -- The bail granted to six youths arrested for allegedly molesting and assaulting a woman inside a cinema hall at Acropolis Mall has sparked controversy amid the BJP-ruled state government's claims of zero tolerance towards crimes against women.
According to the FIR, the woman, her husband and their friends were allegedly targeted by the youths sitting near them. She alleged that the accused made obscene gestures and sexually explicit and indecent remarks. When they protested, the situation allegedly escalated into violence.
The six were booked under Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 3(5) (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 74 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation). Section 74 is cognisable and non-bailable, while the other provisions are bailable.
Police said the FIR was registered on the basis of allegations made in the woman's written complaint.
Kolkata Police said on Tuesday that the six accused had been directed to report to the police station twice a day for 15 days - between 6 am and 8 am and between 9 pm and 11 pm. For the following 15 days, they will have to report once a day.
Meanwhile, the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress (MAITC) condemned the incident and criticised the BJP-ruled administration for allegedly failing to keep its "Bhoy Out, Bhorsa In" promise.In a social media statement, MAITC said: "Law and order appears to be taking a backseat while the CM, who made tall promises before the elections, seems more focused on co-curricular activities than governance."It also alleged that the bail granted to those accused of abusing, assaulting and heckling women showed that "even movie theatres no longer feel safe in Bengal under BJP4Bengal's misrule".
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.