Despite FIR, no action against Lalbaugcha Raja molesters: Victim

Thane-based advocate, Smita Devkar, 37, is disappointed that even after more than 10 days of lodging an FIR against four volunteers of the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal for allegedly molesting her, when she had visited the pandal for darshan during the 10-day festival, not a single one has been arrested yet.

“I identified the accused for the police on the CCTV footage and yet no one has been arrested. I will keep pursuing the case and will keeping asking the police where the case is headed,” Devkar told dna on Thursday.

The incident took place on September 14 around 1.30am. “As I approached the idol, I was pulled by my hair and made to bow down. Later, a male volunteer grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the queue,” she said.

Devkar approached the Kalachowkie police station in Parel the same day to lodge the FIR. She also alleged that the four accused repeatedly abused several women devotees during the festival but, sadly, no one else has come forward to report it.

“Shockingly, I got a phone call from the advocates of the accused who are apparently being shielded by the mandal. I was told that I shouldn’t have filed a police complaint and was also asked if the matter can be settled amicably,” a visibly-appalled Devkar said.