2 Delhi doctors out to buy fruits assaulted; man arrested

The man accused the doctors of spreading Covid-19 when they tried to reason with his, he twisted their hands and pushed them back and fled, said hospital officials.

A 42-year-old interior designer was arrested late on Wednesday night for allegedly molesting, assaulting and threatening two women doctors of a government hospital after an altercation over maintaining social distancing at a fruit shop in south Delhi’s Gulmohar Enclave, the police said.

People wait outside a bank for financial transactions during the nationwide lockdown imposed in view of the coronavirus pandemic, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI Photo)

The man, who is a resident of south Delhi, feared that if the two women could get infected and spread the coronavirus disease (Covid19) if they did not maintain social distancing, and ended up abusing and harassing them, the police said.

A case of wrongful restrain, voluntarily causing hurt, molestation, criminal intimidation, and sexual harassment was registered under sections 341, 323, 354, 506 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code at the Hauz Khas police station, said deputy commissioner of police (south) Atul Kumar Thakur.

Thakur said the two doctors, who are sisters, were off duty and gone to buy fruits at the shop close to their rented accommodation when the incident took place. One of them, who is 29 years old, alleged that the man, who was present at the fruit shop, asked them to maintain social distancing even as they tried telling him that they are doctors and aware of the guidelines.

An argument ensued and the man slapped the sisters, a colleague of the two doctors said.

HT is withholding the names of the hospital and doctors as sexual harassment charges have been added in the case.

“As the women tried to leave, the man blocked their way, assaulted them and touched them inappropriately. He then left the place. The women approached the police and got themselves medically examined. A case was registered and the suspect was arrested,” a senior police officer, who requested anonymity, said.

Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain said on Thursday that legal action will be taken against those who discriminate against doctors, paramedics and healthcare workers.

There have been several reports from across the country of people misbehaving with health care workers and doctors over apprehensions that these frontline workers were carrying the disease and could infect others.