7 people questioned in Mumbai molestation case

Mumbai, Jan 3: Seven people were questioned by the city police last night after taking cognizance of media reports about molestation of two foreign girls by a group of revelers in the early hours of January 1 near a five star hotel in the suburbs, here.

The Juhu police today confirmed that seven people from Sion area in north-central part of city were called for questioning in connection with the case, after asking few questions to them, they were allowed to go home. Police has started probe on the basis of FIR (First Information Report) filed by photographers who had clicked the photos of the incident and published in a national newspaper, showing two girls being molested by a group of people. The incident occurred outside a prominent hotel here in the city.

City Police Commissioner yesterday allegedly said ''Media was blowing the matter out of the proportion, this type of incident could occur anywhere, anytime.'' He had asked the media to ''stop creating a mountain out of a molehill.'' After the commissioner's statement, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who also hold's home portfolio told the media that stern action would be taken against the culprits and trial will be run in fast-track court.

Meanwhile, the Juhu police has registered a case of riot against 50-60 unidentified people on the photographers complaint.

UNI