A day after video went viral in social media showing a group of men allegedly harassing and groping a Japanese woman on Holi, Delhi Police on Saturday held three persons including a juvenile in connection with the case.
The video showed the men smashing an egg on her head and smearing colour on the foreigner, who was seen uncomfortable by their behaviour.
The incident took place while celebrating Holi (on March 8) in Paharganj area.
According to police, the girl in the video is a Japanese tourist and was staying at Paharganj. She had departed to Bangladesh on Friday, the officials added.
However, the girl has not made any formal complaint yet to the police.
The girl has not made any complaint, neither called Delhi Police nor her country's embassy as confirmed by the embassy official in response to an e-mail, a senior police officer told PTI.
The police had taken notice of the video and verified whether it had happened recently before taking action.
People seen in the video have been identified. Three persons, including one juvenile, have been apprehended and questioned. They have confessed their involvement in the incident as seen in the video. They all are residents of a nearby area of Paharganj, Deputy Commissioner of Police (central) Sanjay Kumar Sain said.
Police said action has been initiated against the accused under the Delhi Police Act. However, further legal action will be decided on merits and in accordance with the complaint by the girl, if any, they added.
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal had said she was issuing a notice to Delhi Police to examine the video and arrest the perpetrators.
"Very disturbing videos getting viral on social media showing sexual harassment with foreign nationals on Holi! I am issuing notice to Delhi Police to examine these videos and arrest the perpetrators! Completely shameful behaviour!" Maliwal tweeted on Friday.
The National Commission for Women too took the notice of the video and asked Delhi Police to register an FIR in the matter.
"@NCWIndia has taken cognizance. Chairperson @sharmarekha has written to @CPDelhi to immediately file FIR in the matter. NCW has also sought a fair and time-bound investigation in the matter. A detailed report must be apprised to the commission," the NCW tweeted.
(With PTI inputs)
