Caught on camera: Mass molestation at Lalbaugcha Raja, case against 'mandal' volunteer registered

Forget about the recent gang rape of a photojournalist at the secluded Shakti Mills compound, women are not safe even at the feet of the Lalbaugcha Raja.

A big blot has developed over the Ganesh celebrations at Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal with Zee 24 Taas exposing mass molestation of women devotees right at the feet of the mega idol. A case of molestation has also been registered against a mandal volunteer.

On Monday, the television channel showed shots of a volunteer of the mandal catching women devotees by their hands, necks and bodies and pushing them away under the pretext of controlling the crowd.

Even a woman constable in uniform was not spared by this white kurta-clad man. She was held by her head by this man and pushed toward’s the Lord’s feet and then pushed away.

The visuals of the act sent shock waves among devotees across the state. Many devotees interviewed by Zee 24 Taas expressed their disgust with their humiliation and molestation in the pandal and that too at the feet of the idol.

Home minister RR Patil told newspersons that he has taken serious note of the brazen molestation televised by Zee 24 Taas.

Patil said action would be taken against the organisers after suitable warning.

Zee 24 Taas noted that while VIP devotees like actor Ranbir Kapoor could get comfortable darshan for a long time, devotees were treated worse than cattle.

“I was simply shocked when I saw the visuals on Zee 24 Taas.

The man was behaving as if he was a law onto himself. The police should immediately arrest him. There is no need for any inquiry. The channel’s visuals are proof enough. Women should avoid those Ganesh pandals where they are molested and insulted,” said woman activist Dr Avisha Kukarni.

<span data-scayt_word="" dagduseth"="" data-scaytid="53">“Dagduseth</span> <span data-scayt_word="Halwai" data-scaytid="54">Halwai</span> of <span data-scayt_word="Pune" data-scaytid="55">Pune</span> and other <em><span data-scayt_word="mandals" data-scaytid="56">mandals</span></em> too receive a large number of <span data-scayt_word="Ganesh" data-scaytid="51">Ganesh</span> devotees, but never are they grossly ill-treated the way they are at <span data-scayt_word="Lalbaugcha" data-scaytid="52">Lalbaugcha</span> Raja.”</p> <p> <u><strong>UPDATE<br> </strong></u></p> <p> The <span data-scayt_word="Kalachowky" data-scaytid="18">Kalachowky</span> police on Monday registered a case against a volunteer of <span data-scayt_word="Lalbaugcha" data-scaytid="15">Lalbaugcha</span> Raja for molesting a female devotee and man-handling a police officer in the <em><span data-scayt_word="pandal" data-scaytid="20">pandal</span></em>. </p> <p> The case was registered under Sections 354 (outraging the modesty of woman) and 353 (prevent government servant to discharge his duty) of the <span data-scayt_word="IPC" data-scaytid="62">IPC</span>, said <span data-scayt_word="DCP" data-scaytid="63">DCP</span> <span data-scayt_word="Datta" data-scaytid="64">Datta</span> <span data-scayt_word="Karale" data-scaytid="65">Karale</span>. He added that the volunteer is detained by the police and he will be soon arrested.</p><p><u><strong>Here is the video</strong></u>:<br></p><p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6lHmQ3tWkcY" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" style="clear:both;" frameborder="0" height="263" width="410">&lt;br&gt;</iframe></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>