New Delhi: Auto driver held for ‘molesting’ US national, chargesheet filed

Police said the 24-year-old complainant had come to India on a study tour along with four other US nationals, including her teacher.

“The incident took place on November 7. They hailed the auto in south Delhi. While her four friends sat behind, she sat in front with Gupta,” said a senior police officer.

The complainant alleged that he started touching her inappropriately while driving. “She initially thought it was accidental. But when he did not stop, she shouted and asked him to stop the auto. He apologised, but as soon as they got out of the vehicle, he sped away,” the officer added.

Unable to find a PCR van, the woman went to Saket police station and lodged a complaint.

“The complainant’s friend had managed to take a photo of the autorickshaw, which they shared with police. Officers then scanned CCTV cameras in the area and identified the accused. With the help of their informers, they arrested the accused in the evening,” the officer said.

Police said the investigation officer (IO) recorded the woman’s statement under Section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate at Saket court.

The chargesheet was filed on November 8.

This is the second incident in less than a fortnight where a foreign national was allegedly molested by an auto driver. On November 1, a 32-year-old driver was arrested from Vasant Kunj after he allegedly masturbated in his vehicle while ferrying a foreign national.