Blind woman alleges attempt to rape

A rickshaw-puller allegedly tried to rape a 24-year-old blind woman in Timarpur area of north Delhi on Monday evening. The victim had come to North Campus to visit a friend and had engaged the accused rickshaw-puller outside Mall Road Metro station. The accused beat the victim and robbed her of her documents and mobile phone. He is reported to be absconding. A case of robbery and attempt to rape has been registered at Timarpur police station. 

The police said the victim, who is staying in a hostel in Dwarka left her hostel in the evening to meet some of her friend on DU campus. She took the Metro and got down at Mall Road Metro station. The victim’s friend also spoke to the rickshaw-puller and directed him about the route. 

‘‘Sensing that the victim is all alone and blind, the rickshaw-puller took her to another route. The girl objected, since the rickshaw was taking too long to reach campus. He assured her that he is following the correct route,’’ added an officer. 

The accused then reportedly took her to a secluded place where he tried to rape her. When the victim objected, she was reportedly beaten up by the accused and she started bleeding. Some passersby came to her rescue when they heard her cries. She narrated the entire incident to them after which the passersby reportedly beat up the rickshaw-puller. They then asked him to drop the victim at DU campus, the police informed. 

Though the girl hesitated, she went along. On covering some distance, the rickshaw-puller ran away after robbing her of her documents and mobile phone. He dumped the victim near Timarpur. 

There another rickhsaw-puller offered help and took her to New Usmanpur. The girl narrated the incident to some the people who informed the police. She was taken to GTB Hospital where a medical test was done. 

Devesh Srivastava, DCP (north), said: ‘‘We have registered a case and investigation are in progress.’’ The cops are scanning the call details and the mobile of the victim has been put under surveillance. Some of the rickshaw-pullers of the area have been picked up for questioning. 

In another case, a 32-year-old man tried to rape a 7-year-old girl in Moti Nagar in west Delhi late on Sunday night. The accused, Umesh Kumar (32), who works as a driver has been arrested and a case has been registered. 

The police said that the victim had gone to watch television at Umesh’s house, who lives in her neighbourhood. The accused tried to rape her, but she managed to escape.