Day after man prevents ‘molestation’ attempt, ‘victim’ says he intervened in her private affair

A day after three persons were arrested for allegedly assaulting a shopkeeper in Hisar when he tried to stop them from reportedly molesting a young woman, the "victim" on Tuesday appeared before a court claiming that the shopkeeper had intervened in her private affair.

The incident took place when the police produced the accused — Yogeshwar, Hardeep and Manjit — in court on Tuesday. The woman told the court that Yogeshwar was her fiance and they were having a argument when the shopkeeper, Abhinav Aggarwal, intervened and assaulted Yogeshwar. While claiming that despite her intervention, Aggarwal created an issue out of nothing, the woman demanded that action should be taken against the shopkeeper for assaulting Yogeshwar.

The case came to light as the media flashed CCTV footage that showed a group of youths thrashing Aggarwal. While speaking to the media, Aggarwal had alleged that he was beaten up when he tried to save a "molestation victim".

While addressing mediapersons on Tuesday, Hisar SP Satheesh Balan said the case has taken a new twist as the the alleged victim had exonerated all the accused. "The police have also examined the CCTV footage, which narrates a different story from what was being projected till date," he said.

"The victim today told the police that she had an argument with Yogeshwar. Both are about to get married in a few weeks and their families know each other. They had an argument near D N University and in the process, Yogeshwar snatched her phone. This scene was witnessed by Aggarwal, who mistook it as a molestation attempt and intervened," ASI Harish Bhardwaj said.

He added: "He assaulted Yogeshwar and despite the victim asking him to leave, he did not stop. Yogeshwar called his friends and all three then assaulted Abhinav and even smashed the windowpanes of his house. Abhinav called the police and we registered a case on his complaint. When the three accused were arrested, the actual story emerged. Now, since the girl has also deposed before the court, we will take legal action against the shopkeeper."

ALSO READ

Pawar to seek special package for state

Verdict in Dec 16 rape case expected by month-end: Neeraj Kumar

China incursion: Both sides withdraw troops from Daulat Beg Oldi sector

Sonia Gandhi consults A K Antony on Pawan Bansal issue