Pune: Autorickshaw Driver Molests Woman In Wagholi, FIR Registered
Wagholi, 14th December 2023: In a disturbing incident at D-Mart Mall in Wagholi, a 23-year-old woman was allegedly molested by an unidentified autorickshaw driver on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred in front of the Reliance Digital Shop, drawing attention to the lack of intervention by passersby despite the victim’s pleas for help.
The Lonikand Police Station has registered a case under sections 354 and 354 (A) of the IPC against the accused rickshaw driver, who operates a six-seater rickshaw providing ‘share seat’ services. The victim, a resident of Kharadi, filed a complaint, detailing the harrowing experience.
According to Lonikand police, the victim, employed at a mall, had taken the rickshaw to attend a job interview at D-Mart Mall in Wagholi. She attempted to make an online payment to the rickshaw driver, which was declined.
The accused instructed her not to pay and later, after the interview, she found herself in the same rickshaw on her way back to Yerawada. As the last passenger disembarked, the driver diverted the rickshaw towards the Reliance Digital Shop. Disturbingly, he forcibly grabbed the victim by the neck, attempting to kiss her. Despite her screams for help, bystanders failed to intervene.
Undeterred, the assailant continued his assault, pulling her back into the rickshaw and subjecting her to further inappropriate touching.
She managed to escape and report the incident to the police. The cops are yet to identify the accused.
