New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Friday announced that it will intensify the number of flying squads comprising Metro and security staff to monitor commuters’ behaviour and necessary action under relevant provisions of law will be taken when needed.
The statement came after the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) took suo motu cognisance of a video where a young man was purportedly seen masturbating inside a Delhi Metro train.
The action was taken hours after the DCW issued a notice to Delhi Police Commissioner, Delhi Metro, earlier in the day demanding information regarding the FIR filed in the matter, details of the accused, action taken by them and if the accused was not arrested, then the reasons for the same. The information was sought by 1 May.
Meanwhile, early Saturday, a police case was also lodged under Section 294 (obscene acts and songs) of the IPC.
Calling the video “absolutely disgusting and sickening”, Swati Maliwal, DCW chief, called for strict action into the matter. “More and more such cases are coming to light in the Delhi Metro and exemplary action needs to be taken against such persons so that women’s safety is ensured in the Metro,” she tweeted.
After the video had gone viral on social media, users also questioned women’s safety inside the metro train. DMRC in response had issued a statement asking commuters to conduct themselves responsibly while travelling by the metro.
“If other commuters notice such objectionable behaviour, they should report the matter immediately on the DMRC helpline detailing the corridor station, time, etc,” the statement said.
Also Read: Delhi Metro is done with getting too much love. Reels creators ask why so many dos and don’ts
Steps in place
Speaking to ThePrint, a DMRC official said, in all, their 300 trains, running on 12 lines, covering 280 stations over an area of 390 km, there were already people stationed everywhere in civilian clothes making inspections.
“We hadn’t got any report regarding the incident, just came to know through social media. If people had reported in real-time, immediate action could have been taken,” he said.
According to the Operation and Maintenance law of the DMRC, there are several sections for different offences and corresponding penalties. In case anyone engaging in obscene acts was caught, he/she would have been tried under one of those sections.
“Generally, there would be counselling in the beginning and then punishment and if the case is serious, then the offender can also be jailed,” the official added.
Talking about the challenges that come with videos, the official said that verifying the authenticity of the videoes was difficult, especially with the technological growth.
According to him, the video could be old or edited and made just to get some social media traction, since suddenly so many of them were surfacing while no complaints were made to the authorities.
Only a few weeks ago, many videos of a woman wearing a DIY bralette top and a mini skirt were widely shared on social media, creating a lot of buzz among the people, with some raising concerns and others supporting her decision.
At that time, DMRC had urged commuters to maintain social etiquette and protocols while using its services but also termed an individual’s choice of clothing their personal choice.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
Also Read: Tunnelling done, Aarey car shed clear — now, Mumbai’s 1st underground Metro line on 2023 deadline