Bangalore, August 24 2013, DHNS:

Call it the effect of public outrage at the gang-rape of a photojournalist in Mumbai, the Karnataka police said on Friday that eve-teasers and those sending women obscene e-mails and other messages would be treated as “rowdies”. 

The Director General and Inspector of General of Police, Lalrokhuma Pachau, has ordered heads of police wings in districts and commissionerates to open rowdy sheets against the offenders.

Order issued

The police chief issued the order with an aim to curb the incidents of eve-teasing and other crimes against women.

Those using the internet to send or forward obscene messages and e-mails will also be booked and rowdy sheets opened against them.

A police source said the sharp increase in the cases of molestation, sexual assaul and eve-teasing prompted the stringent action.

The names and other details of those involved in eve-teasing or sending objectionable materials to women, using electronic gadgets and making obscene remarks, will be entered in ‘C’ category rowdy sheets.

It would help to monitor youths involved in such crimes.
If convicted, the suspects could spend up to one year in jail, the source explained.

Stern action

“We are serious about taking stern action and hence the order,” said ADGP (Law and Order), M N Reddy.

“The rowdy sheet will be opened against the suspect the moment he indulges in eve-teasing and a case is registered at a police station. Passing silly comments and obscene remarks against women, school and college girls would be viewed very seriously.”

According to Reddy, eve-teasing incidents usually take place at public places.

Teenage girls and unmarried women suffer adversely at bus stands, railway stations, markets and other places. The lower-rung police personnel have been directed to take action against the offenders and submit the action taken report, he added.