Kolkata: A Kolkata Police assistant sub-inspector was arrested on Monday for allegedly sexually harassing a 21-year-old female Durga Puja volunteer at a popular pandal in South Kolkata.
The accused has been identified as 50-year-old Kabirul Hasan Mondal, also recorded in official documents as Kabirul Hasan Molla or Kabirul Islam. The incident allegedly took place on Saturday night between 11 pm and 11.30 pm near the exit gate of the Suruchi Sangha pandal in New Alipore. Based on her complaint, New Alipore Police Station registered a case on October 18 under Section 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with sexual harassment.
Additional Commissioner of Police, Crime, Kunal Aggarwal confirmed the arrest and said, “One video was circulating on social media where one ASI was seen outraging the modesty of a volunteer.
Police said the accused was taken into custody soon after the matter came to light. He is attached to the 3rd Armed Battalion, B Company, of the Kolkata Armed Police. The woman was on crowd-control duty when the accused allegedly made repeated unwelcome physical contact with her and behaved inappropriately, despite the presence of other volunteers and visitors. A video of the incident went viral on social media on Saptami, triggering concern over the safety of women volunteers deployed for crowd management during Durga Puja. The volunteer later approached police personnel posted nearby and filed a written complaint. Kolkata Police suspended the accused and started departmental proceedings against him. On the basis of a written complaint lodged by one puja volunteer, we have arrested Kabirul Islam. His family members have been informed. Further investigation is underway.