This Article is From Jan 20, 2023

Video Shows Delhi Women's Panel Head Confronting "Drunk Car Driver"

The police say that the accused was arrested within 22 minutes of the crime being reported.

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India News Reported by , Edited by
New Delhi:

A day after Swati Maliwal, the chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, alleged that she was harassed and dragged by a drunk driver, a video of the incident shows her confronting the man, who has been arrested.

Swati Maliwal has alleged that when she tried to stop the driver, her arm was trapped in the car window and she was dragged 15 metres near the AIIMS hospital in Delhi when she was out on the streets on Wednesday night "for a reality check" on the safety of women in the capital.

In the video, Ms Maliwal is seen refusing as the driver offers her a ride. "Sorry. I can't hear you. Where will you drop me off? I have to go home. My relatives are on the way," the video shows the 38-year-old women's panel's chief telling the man, Harish Chandra.

Ms Maliwal is seen stepping away. She says the man "drove off angrily" but took a U-turn and returned.

"Where do you plan to drop me off? This is the second time you have come. I am saying repeatedly that I don't want this," she is heard saying in the video. She walks over to the driver's side and is seen reaching in through the window.

Swati Maliwal and her alleged harasser

At this point, the man drives away, and loud shrieks are heard.

NDTV cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video.

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The police said Harish Chandra, 47, was arrested within 22 minutes of the incident being reported by Ms Maliwal.

"Acting on a distress call by Ms. Swati Maliwal, South Distt. Police swung into action, apprehended the alleged Baleno car within 22 Minutes. FIR under relevant section has been registered & accused arrested. Further investigation is on," Delhi police had tweeted on Thursday.

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Ms Maliwal called it a "really scary" incident and said she would have been "the next Anjali", if her team had not intervened.

She was referring to the young woman who died on New Year's Day after being dragged for 13 km by a car.

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"God saved life. If the chairperson of the woman's commission is not safe in Delhi, then imagine the situation," Ms Maliwal tweeted.

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