Rickshaw driver harasses student, plays ‘inappropriate video’

Punjab University student says police yet to lodge FIR despite a week since her complaint

LAHORE:

A distressing incident has come to light as a female student from Punjab University filed a complaint against a rickshaw driver in Lahore, accusing him of harassment after she objected to his inappropriate behavior during the ride.

Shockingly, despite passage of a week since her ordeal, the police have yet to register a First Information Report (FIR).

According to the complaint lodged at the Muslim Town police station, the incident unfolded when the Punjab University student boarded an auto-rickshaw from the Punjab University (IBA) stop with the intention of reaching DHA.

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The uncomfortable situation arose when the rickshaw driver, soon after commencing the ride, began watching an inappropriate video on his mobile phone at a high volume, disregarding the student's objections.

ہم لوگ ہیلتھ ڈیپارٹمنٹ کی پورن ویڈیو پر ہنگامہ کر رہے ، لیکن پی یو کی طالبہ کیساتھ چند روز قبل ایسا ہی واقعہ ہوا، رکشہ والے نے طالبہ کو بٹھاتے ہی رکشے میں پورن ویڈیو چلا دی، دست درازی بھی کی، پولیس میں درخواست بھی دی مقدمہ درج نہیں ہو رہا. یہ کیمپس پل پر چھٹا واقعہ ہے pic.twitter.com/NSVhN3te85

— Amjad Hussain Bukhari (@AmjadHBokhari) July 15, 2023

As the uncomfortable journey continued, the 25-year-old rickshaw driver deliberately stopped the vehicle, citing a malfunction, and proceeded towards the backseat where the student was seated. It was at this point that the student claims the driver attempted to remove her veil and made unwelcoming advances.

Fearing for her safety, the distressed student raised an alarm, attracting the attention of passersby. In the ensuing commotion, the rickshaw driver managed to escape the scene.

The student, who remains deeply disturbed by the incident, expressed her frustration to The Express Tribune, stating that she had reported the harassment to the police. However, despite a week having passed since the incident, no FIR has been registered. Moreover, she voiced her disappointment with the inappropriate behavior displayed by the police towards her.

She further lamented the unfortunate reality that such incidents often go unnoticed. Despite her courageous act of filing a complaint against her harasser, she feels that no action has been taken to address the matter adequately. She emphasised that numerous women encounter similar situations daily, yet authorities seem to respond only when unfortunate incidents occur.