2017 kicked off on a sad note for Bengaluru when women were molested and heckled by drunk, unruly men on the streets on New Year’s eve. While unfortunately incidents of molestation and rape have become synonymous with New Year’s eve celebrations in India, this particular incident took place in the presence of 15,000 policemen.
According to a report in Bangalore Mirror, the incident took place in the busy areas of MG Road and Brigade Road where men groped and verbally abused women revellers even as policemen were present in huge numbers. While the crowd in Bengaluru is known for being unruly during New Year celebrations, this time round the deadline for celebrations were extended to way beyond 2 am.
Reports also mentioned that some women had to take off their heels and run from the spot because the police were majorly mute spectators and barely intervened.
The police said that no official report has been filed in the case but several eyewitness accounts confirm it.
Bengaluru police said they did not receive any complaints from women of molestation or misdemeanour, but they did admit having to ward off men who were drunk and misbehaving. Molestation and rape cases have become commonplace across India especially during New Year’s eve celebrations.
