Molestation of woman in Bihar widely condemned

New Delhi / Patna, July 25 (ANI): Reacting to the stripping and molestation of a woman in Patna, the National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Girija Vyas has said that a notice has been sent to the Police Commissioner and Chief Secretary of the State to take stringent action against the guilty.

"We have sent a notice to the Police Commissioner and Chief Secretary to take action on this and report to us. Strict action should be taken against the culprit, whether those involved or those who stood there as mute spectators," said Vyas.

The NCW has asked Bihar Government to submit a report on the incident and has urged state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to personally look into the matter.

Expressing his views on the incident, Lalu Prasad, chief of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) blamed the State Government for not taking immediate action to punish the culprits.

"After every thing happened in full public glare, the Chief Minister says investigation will be carried out. Immediate action should be taken. What is there to investigate?" said Lalu.

Meanwhile, state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condemned the incident and said strict action will be taken against the culprits.

"Strict action will be taken. All senior officers have been instructed to keep a vigil in crowded areas so that people have a feeling of security. But here, some people instead of catching hold of the culprit kept watching like mute spectators. This is not good. There should be a debate on this in the House," said Kumar.

On Thursday evening, a group of men had allegedly abused, assaulted and then stripped a young woman in full public view at a busy road here.

A police team was reportedly present at the site and watched the attack on the woman for nearly an hour before taking the culprits to the police station. he woman, a resident of Jesidih in Jharkhand, was lured by Rakesh Kumar to Patna with the promise of a job.

Soon after she came to Patna, Rakesh forced her to have sex with his friends. She ran away from the hotel where she had been staying with him for the last few days. However, Rakesh and his friends caught her and attacked her.

Police have arrested Rakesh, who is said to be involved in the flesh trade. (ANI)