Social media comes to aid, photo shared on various WhatsApp groups identified by a member
Not only was social media the platform on which a 35-year-old US national raised her voice against harassment, but it also helped the Mumbai police trace the culprit. The woman had recently alleged that a youth "flashed" her in Colaba. She clicked his photograph and shared it on social media sites. The police also created a WhatsApp group with Colaba residents and shared the photo of the accused, who was then identified by one of the group members. He was identified as Gopal Jagdish Walmiki (25).
The incident
The complainant, who works as a director of a private company, is a resident of Radio Club in Colaba. According to the police, on Monday around 7.40am, she left from home for her workplace and was walking on the BK Boman Behram Marg.
"Around 7.50am, she saw a man on the footpath behind two cars parked on the road. He was making obscene gestures. The complainant cried for help, after which the man fled towards the direction of Colaba Causeway," said an officer.
He added, "A few men present on the spot began chasing him. The accused got scared and started coming towards the complainant, who then clicked his photo with her mobile phone. She also told us that the man pleaded with her, and sought her forgiveness."
According to the complainant, the accued told her that he will come with her to the police station. But as soon as the two reached Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, he fled from the spot. "We recorded the complainant's statement at her office on Tuesday, and she also provided us with the photograph of the accused," said the officer.
How the suspect was traced
"We shared information about the incident on WhatsApp groups, roping in local shopkeepers, social workers, residents and politicians. One of the members of WhatsApp group 'Eyes & Ears of Mumbai Police' recognised the photograph and shared some details about him," said constable Pravin Bhalerao, one of the 100 members of the Eyes & ears group.
He added, "Before arresting the accused, I made inquiries with a watchman close to Walkimi's residence and showed him the photograph. The watchman confirmed that he lived in the building. Then we got hold of him."
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