Maharashtra: Two couples ‘assaulted’ during visit to Haji Malang

KALYAN: Two couples from Dombivli returning from a visit at Haji Malang on Sunday were beaten up by locals for wearing skirts and shorts and undertaking the trip despite a ban by the district administration.
An FIR was registered at Hill Line police station on Tuesday. The police have invoked IPC section of molestation based on the allegation by one of the women that she was touched inappropriately.
The women accused cops of not taking cognisance of the complaint on Sunday for want of a medical certificate, prompting one of them to post the incident on social media.
One of them said in her social media post: “Six boys aged 15 to 25 beaten up us, (sic) boys for wearing shorts and me for wearing skirts”.
The complainants alleged that the accused hurled bottles and stones at them. One victim told TOI: “They damaged our phones, preventing us from clicking their pictures. They abused me for wearing a skirt and my male friend for wearing shorts.” One of the male victims told TOI, “Locals could have asked us to return if there is a ban. Why did they manhandle us?”
The police said they learnt of the incident through the post and directed her to lodge a complaint. Senior police inspector Mohan Khandare, said, “It appears that the accused are locals who objected to tourists because in the past many have drowned during the rainy season. We have booked unidentified accused.”
Kanchan Kulkarni, district president Congress women wing said, “Those who attack innocent people must be arrested.”