Varanasi: Argentine woman robbed, attacked

The woman alleges three youths slapped her, took away her purse while she was meditating near Assi ghat.

A 38-year-old Argentine woman alleged that three youths slapped her while she was meditating on the banks of the Ganga and robbed her of Rs 2,000 on Saturday evening, police said.

The woman informed the police that she boarded a boat at Assi Ghat and crossed the river. She said while she was meditating, three youths reached there and lifted her purse. When she resisted, they slapped her thrice.(Representational image)

Superintendent of police, Varanasi, Dinesh Kumar Singh said a case had been registered against three unidentified youths after the woman lodged a complaint with the Ramnagar police.

“Photographs of 20 suspects were shown to the woman but the accused were not among them,” he said.

Attacks on foreigners

On December 10, a team accompanying six French tourists was attacked in Lakhania Dari picnic spot in Mirzapur. The French tourists were on a visit to Varanasi.

A Japanese youth was robbed of his valuables on December 14. A case was registered at Sigra police station.

On June 28, a French elderly woman was reportedly raped in Shooltankeshwar area under Rohania police station. The accused was arrested.

On November 13, 2015, a Russian girl was attacked with acid in Lanka area of Varanasi.

Singh added the suspects could have been from a village across the river. “Some people have been interrogated. A team has been deployed to trace the assailants who committed the offence. The accused will be arrested soon,” he said.

The incident took place when the woman was meditating on the crowded bank of the river opposite Assi ghat, police said.

“She has been living in Varanasi for the last 12 years and goes to the ghats daily for meditation,” they said.

The woman informed the police that she boarded a boat at Assi Ghat and crossed the river. She said while she was meditating, three youths reached there and lifted her purse. When she resisted, they slapped her thrice.

Police said when she tried to take her purse, they slapped her again causing injuries on her neck and face.

Talking to media persons, she said the purse contained Rs 2,000. She denied any molestation attempt.

The woman lives in Bhadaini area and is associated with an NGO that helps poor children.