The menace of rickshaw drivers in Nashik has once again raised serious concerns over women's safety in the city. A disturbing incident occurred in which a convicted rickshaw driver blocked the path of a woman who had just gotten off a bus and made obscene gestures toward her.

According to the complaint filed by the victim, the rickshaw driver, while chasing a woman walking on the road, made obscene gestures and used abusive language.

This incident has created a stir in the city, and the Mumbai Naka Police has investigated and arrested the suspected accused and rickshaw driver Mizan Raza alias Malla Sadiq Sheikh (age 20, resident of Bagwanpura, Old Nashik).

The victim was coming to Dwarka area from the suburbs on Thursday (April 10) at 10 pm. At that time, the suspect Mizan started chasing her in a rickshaw between Bodhalenagar and Dwarka Circle. During this, he asked the victim from time to time, 'Where are you going?' and teased her on her way. Not only this, after chasing her with obscene gestures, he removed all his clothes and got naked in an obscene manner at Dwarka Circle. After that, he molested tried to molest her verbally. The victim was completely scared due to this incident. She somehow escaped from there and reached home the next day and went to Mumbai Naka police station and filed a complaint against the rickshaw driver.

Meanwhile, as soon as the complaint was filed, the police traced Mizan and arrested him based on CCTV and other technical analysis.

Patrolling Need at night 

The number of cases of harrasment by rickshaw drives has increased in some places in the city like Panchavati Karanja, Adgaon Naka, Dwarka Chowk, Mumbai Naka, CBS, Shalimar, Thakkar Bazar, Takli, Jail Road, Upnagar, Deolali Village, Nashik Road. There is a need for strict patrolling by police in these areas after 7 pm and check the documents of the rickshaw drivers. The special action being taken against rickshaws and drivers for the past few days has stopped, and passengers from local and other districts have demanded that it be continued without stopping.

Buses vandalized

After molesting the victim, rickshaw driver Mijan, with the help of his accomplice, went on a rampage in the Dwarka area. Together, the two abused and beat up the driver and conductor of the Citylink bus passing by. Not only this, they also damaged government property by throwing stones at the glass of the bus.

Driver held

Taking swift action, the police registered a case against Mizan Raza under charges of molestation and harassment. The rickshaw driver was held, and his vehicle was seized. Police revealed that the accused has a criminal record, with previous charges of rioting and extortion.

In response to the serious nature of the crime, police have vowed to take strict action against the accused. The rickshaw driver will be produced in court for further legal proceedings.

Senior Police Inspector Santosh Narute said that a thorough investigation is underway against him. Also, due to the lack of visible policing at various important places in the city, some lodge owners, rickshaw drivers and two-wheeler riders are harassing the city residents. Common citizens have expressed their expectation of strict action against them.