Forces miscreants off bike and holds on to one of them as well as her chain while people remain mute spectators
The apathy of Delhi’s citizens is fast taking the magnitude of an unfortunate urban legend. In yet another telling incident, a 54-year-old woman’s bravery was met with colossal indifference of the passersby as she single-handedly fought the two men who were trying to snatch her chain. Not only did the spectators gather to watch the ‘battle’ and refused to help, many of them got busy making videos of the incident. And two days later, the accused remain absconding.
The snatching attempt took place in northeast Delhi’s Jhilmil area, around 2 pm on Wednesday. The victim was identified as MTNL executive Santosh Kumari. She was returning to her home in Jhilmil from her office in east Delhi’s Lakshmi Nagar in a car. She had parked her car on the road side and was walking towards the other side to buy fruits.
“I was talking to the fruit seller when I noticed two men on a bike approaching me. Suddenly, the pillion rider leaned forward and tried to snatch my chain,” she said.
Kumari held on to her chain, which broke and fell in the fiasco. She then pushed the bikers who lost their balance and fell on the ground. “A crowd had gathered and I thought people would help me. To my surprise, they were completely insensitive to the situation. In fact, the fruit-seller ran away,” she said.
Kumari, however, held on to the collar of one of the men, who kept apologising and saying that he did not touch her”. The leg of the other one was stuck under the bike. “I was shocked when a man walked up to me and instead of helping, started supporting the accused. This can happen to anyone. If we do not fight back or help the one being attacked, no one can be safe,” she said.
By then, a passerby had informed the police. The accused, however, managed to flee, leaving their footwear and motorcycle behind. “Later, the police came to my house but since I had not lost my chain, I decided not to file an FIR. If someone had helped me at the time, the culprits could have been nabbed. The police also informed me that the motorcycle they were using had been stolen from Jagatpuri in the morning only,” she said.
Kumari has been living in Jhilmil with her parents since 1968. For her brave act, she was awarded a cash prize of Rs 1,000 and a certificate by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara, Nupur Prasad.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have been unable to trace the accused and further investigation is underway.
MODUS OPERANDI
Usually, a team of two is involved so that the accused are able to escape on a two-wheeler. The bikes used are stolen and are modified by removing their fuel supply regulator to ensure high speed. The gangs mostly target elderly women. The jewellery is immediately melted while other valuables are sold off quickly as well.
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Kumari, however, held on to the collar of one of the men, who kept apologising and saying that he did not touch her”. The leg of the other one was stuck under the bike. “I was shocked when a man walked up to me and instead of helping, started supporting the accused. This can happen to anyone. If we do not fight back or help the one being attacked, no one can be safe,” she said.
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