New Delhi: An 87-year-old bedridden woman, a resident of Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, was allegedly assaulted and raped by a man who broke into her house,
The incident took place on Sunday afternoon, when the woman’s daughter, who is 65, had gone out to meet a friend. The man attacked her, sexually assaulted her and fled with her mobile phone.
While initially, only a case of theft was registered by the police on Sunday night, rape was also included on Monday. Families members of the octagenarian said that the police “manipulated” them into registering only a case of theft.
The Delhi Police denied this claim, tweeting: “On Sunday, a written complaint of theft of a mobile phone from a house in Tilak Nagar was received from the daughter of a senior citizen, after which FIR under relevant sections was promptly registered.”
“Today, sexual assault has been further alleged by the complainant. Relevant sections of the law have been added in the FIR and the investigation was taken up. Victim being provided counselling and all necessary assistance,” it said.
According to family members, the man broke into the house. He was spotted by the elderly woman and questioned. He said he worked for a gas agency and was called to the house for some work.
When the woman found him to be suspicious and tried to raise an alarm, he attacked her, sexually assaulted her and stole her mobile phone, they told the police.
When her daughter arrived home, she found her injured and approached the police.
Additional commissioner of police (West) Prashant Gautam on Monday said based on the allegations made out in the first complaint of the victim, a case under the IPC section pertaining to theft was registered at the Tilak Nagar police station. Now, sexual assault has been alleged by the victim, “we are adding relevant sections to the FIR”, he said and added that teams have been formed to apprehend the accused.
The Delhi Commission for Women has taken note of the incident and has sent two counsellors to meet with the survivor and officials of the Delhi Police. The commission asked the police to submit a copy of the FIR registered in the matter; details of the accused identified and arrested in the matter; and a detailed action report in the matter. It also said that if no accused has been arrested in the matter, the police must provide the reasons why. The police was asked to submit this information by February 17.
This story was first published on The Wire.
