Pune:
The increasing menace of eve-teasing in and around Hadapsar has prompted the in-charge of the police station there to come up with an innovative mechanism to deal with the offenders. With victims not willing to come forward as they fear a backlash from offenders, who often hail from well-to-do backgrounds, Hadapsar police station in-charge Pandharinath Mandhare decided to take it upon himself to track eve-teasers.
Mandhare has made his cell phone number public, appealing to victims to send a text message giving the date, time and the description of the tormentor. He has also appealed that in case the offenders are on a two-wheeler or four-wheeler, then the number of the vehicle should also be messaged. PI Mandhare has instructed all his officers to check any such incident after he receives a call or an SMS.
"We have received almost 25 SMSes and 40 calls to congratulate us for this initiative," Mandhare said. "We are sure that the victims will contact us and we have ensured that their identity will not be disclosed. We will take suo motu action by booking the offenders and nab them immediately." Yesterday, two complaint calls were also received and the respective police stations asked to look into these. The initiative has received much praise and at least two colleges in the jurisdiction of the Hadapsar police station have displayed Mandhare's contact number, appealing to victims of eve-teasing to inform the police.
MiD DAY spoke to Annasaheb Magar Vidyalaya Principal Raghunath Misal, who said, "Ever since we displayed the information appealing to girls to inform the police of eve-teasing, we have noticed that youths who spend their time sitting on bikes chit-chatting and taunting have disappeared. There are no unwanted distractions now." S M Joshi College Principal Namdeo Jadhav said, "This is certainly a great initiative. We have a majority of girl students and we will ensure that we spread the message across and the girls should contact the cops if they are harassed."
The law- Offenders who use obscene language in a public place can be booked under the Bombay Police Act.
- If the offenders are on bikes or cars, they can be booked under various sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.
- Eve teasers can be booked under IPC 509.
Colleges in Hadapsar police station jurisdiction- Annasaheb Magar Mahavidyalaya
- SM Joshi College
- Sumatibai Shaha Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya
- Raju Govind Sable College
- AG Aawate College
Similar initiative by Pune Rural PoliceIn a bid to curb illegal activities in the jurisdiction of the Pune Rural Police, the Superintendent of Police made his cell phone number public four days ago. SP Sandip Karnik has received 400 SMSes informing him about illegal liquor dens and gambling activities in rural Pune. SP Karnik told MiD DAY 134 prohibition cases have been lodged against illegal liquor dens and 171 people were arrested for this. Twelve cases of gambling have been registered and 70 people booked for participating in the activity.