Woman molested by auto driver, dragged with vehicle in Thane city; cops launch manhunt

CCTV footage screengrab

A 21-year-old woman was allegedly molested and dragged with the vehicle by an autorickshaw driver in Maharashtra's Thane on Friday, the police said.

A video of the incident has also surfaced following which the police have launched a manhunt to nab the auto driver.

The incident occurred around 6.45 am when the girl was going to college. While she was walking on Bazarpeth Road, an auto driver passed a comment on her, he also allegedly tried to hold her hand. When women resisted and raised voice against it, driver tried to flee from the spot.

"The women managed to hold the driver but he sat inside the auto and started it. He raced the auto which led to dragging the women for about 500 meters," told Jairaj Ranware, Senior Inspector of Thane Nagar police station.

"We have the CCTV footage of the incident and will nab the culprit soon" he added.

The women sustained injury on her left hand and leg, treated in hospital as out patient. An offence has been registered in police station under IPC section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 354A (sexual harassment).

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Based on a complaint, a case was registered under section 354 (assault or use of criminal force to any woman to outrage her modesty) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, he said, adding that teams have been formed to track down the autorickshaw driver who is absconding.