Disclaimer: This article contains details of physical assault. Discretion advised.
In a shocking case of crimes against women, a disabled woman in Andhra Pradesh working in AP Tourism Hotel Office was physically assaulted by a male colleague after she asked him to wear a mask. According to News18, CCTV footage has captured the man dragging the woman by her hair, throwing her to the ground, and attacking her with an iron rod.
The incident took place on Saturday but came to people’s attention on Tuesday after the victim filed a police complaint. The attacked has been suspended from his job and has been booked under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person) and 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means).
According to Hindustan Times, celebrities including Richa Chadha, Neha Dhupia, Producer Atul Kasbekar, and Athiya Shetty condemned the heinous incident on social media.
Once he’s done hitting her, other unkils walk WITH HIM, leaving the woman alone, lest he need to be comforted after this outburst of violence BY HIM. This is our society. You’re foolish if you think we’re not living in sickness! Sick. #BhaskarTuToGaya #UncleaPleaseSit https://t.co/OkdRchai0l
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) June 30, 2020
What’s going on… this man and many more like him if they are out there need to be taught a lesson… everyone knows where his place is … seriously , where does this entitlement, ego, anger come from!!! https://t.co/WHT4Rk6wb2
— Neha Dhupia (@NehaDhupia) June 30, 2020
The lady in question is differently abled (read ‘handicapped’)
This tough guy beats her up wt a piece of iron!
For being asked to wear a mask!I’d like to go a round wt this brute in a ring.
And he can keep his weapon.
Let’s see just how tough he is then?Third grade scum https://t.co/JfZ5HLY2aK
— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) June 30, 2020
What’s even more bizarre is that all the colleagues walk out with him after stopping this brutality and no one stops to help the lady up?!?
What’s with you ‘men’?
— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) June 30, 2020
absolutely disgusting. wtf is wrong with people. https://t.co/fBS499CvIe
— Athiya Shetty (@theathiyashetty) June 30, 2020
Addressing the incident, the Nellore police and Andhra Pradesh police tweeted that women’s safety is their utmost priority and that they will be taking strict and quick action against the perpetrator of the assault.
@APPOLICE100
In view of the attack on a women employee by her colleague at a tourism hotel, case vide Crime No 362/2020 u/s 354, 355 and 324 IPC was immediaty booked on 27.06.2020 at Dargamitta PS.
The accused was arrested and is being sent for remand.— Nellore Police (@sp_nlr) June 30, 2020
@APPOLICE100 @sp_nlr are extremely sensitive to any crime against women.
Women safety and security is our top priority.— Nellore Police (@sp_nlr) June 30, 2020
AP Police is committed to women safety & will ensure swift & deterrent action against accused. @sharmarekha @NCWIndia pic.twitter.com/gS98qiwSUR
— AP Police (@APPOLICE100) June 30, 2020
We hope that the perpetrator receives rightful punishment for his actions. It is disturbing to see how a woman was treated so mercilessly in her workplace. Such incidents should be heavily condemned!