Racial Abuse Incident in Delhi Sparks SC/ST Act Enforcement
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New Delhi, February 25 (NationPress) The provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been activated in connection with the case of racial abuse and humiliation faced by three women from Arunachal Pradesh in Delhi's Malviya Nagar, as reported by officials on Wednesday.
The authorities indicated that these provisions were applied based on the evidence available in the case. They also confirmed the arrest of one of the suspects, Ruby Jain.
"An officer of the rank of ACP is currently leading the investigation. Further inquiries are underway, being closely monitored by senior officials," stated the officials.
Reports indicate that the three women endured racial slurs, humiliation, and intimidation from their neighbours, Harsh Singh and Ruby Jain, in Malviya Nagar.
On February 20, after a dispute regarding repair work at their rented accommodation, the neighbours allegedly referred to the women as "dhandhewali (sex worker)." The women had hired an electrician to install an air conditioning unit in their fourth-floor flat.
According to police accounts, debris from the drilling work fell onto the floor below, leading to objections from neighbours, which quickly escalated into a heated confrontation.
The women claimed that the neighbouring couple unleashed a torrent of abusive language and derogatory racial comments aimed at them and the Northeastern community. A video capturing the incident subsequently went viral on social media.
The Delhi Police confirmed that an FIR has been filed against the couple under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including clauses concerning the outrage of a woman's modesty and the incitement of enmity based on religion, race, and other factors.
Meanwhile, Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, condemned the alleged racial abuse and humiliation directed at the three women and called on the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to act promptly and decisively.
In addition, Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, along with Congress Lok Sabha representatives Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from Inner Manipur and Indra Hang Subba from Sikkim, along with various political leaders and organizations, have expressed their condemnation of the incident, demanding strict punishment for the offenders.