Teenager asks constable for help, molested

Another blot on the khaki. The outrage over Mumbai’s Marine Drive police chowki rape is yet to die down, but in nearby Ahmedabad, a con...

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Another blot on the khaki. The outrage over Mumbai’s Marine Drive police chowki rape is yet to die down, but in nearby Ahmedabad, a constable was arrested on Tuesday morning for reportedly attempting to rape an 18-year-old who asked him the way to the bus stop.

Forty-year-old Babubhai Khalabhai Katara of Geeta Mandir police outpost was arrested hours after the girl lodged a complaint with Kagdapith police. By evening, Katara had been suspended by Deputy Commissioner (Zone VI) Subhash Trivedi .

Inspector J.J. Desai, who arrested the accused, said the incident took place at 3.30 am. The girl, an orphan, wanted to board a bus to Idar. ‘‘When she asked the accused the way to the bus stop, he offered to accompany her. However, he took her to a vacant quarter in the Home Guards colony just behind Geeta Mandir and molested her. The girl managed to free herself and raised an alarm, which brought some people to her rescue. They then informed the Police Control Room, which alerted us,’’ Desai said.

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Sources said that Katara was on duty at Geeta Mandir with two other constables when the incident took place. ‘‘We saw the girl roaming here and there. It was late and we asked her why she was out alone and if she was lost. She told us she was looking for the bus stop from where she could board a bus for Idar. It was then that Babubhai offered to show her the way,’’ said a constable who was on duty with Katara, seeking anonymity.

The girl has been admitted to Civil Hospital for examination and treatment. The police informed the Ahmedabad Womens’ Action Group and she is being given counselling.

Though the police refused to allow anyone to speak to the 18-year-old, doctors and counsellors who spoke to her said she had come to visit the city with her friend, Ashok Prajapati of Mehsana, who left her at Kalupur Railway Station in the evening.

‘‘Her parents died when she was three years old and she has since been staying with an uncle. She was married at a young age but soon separated. She told us that during the day, she and her friend had run out of money and she had pledged her gold earrings. She also told us that she waited for a train for Idar till night. But as there was none, she went to Geeta Mandir, where she approached the accused cop for directions to the bus stop,’’ a nurse at Civil Hospital said.