Commissioner Shukla asks women to act sans fear

PUNE: Police commissioner Rashmi Shukla on Tuesday appealed to women to approach the cops instead of ignoring the first or the second instance of

stalking

.

A day after BJP MLA Sanjivreddi Bodkurwar’s daughter, Ashwini, was attacked by a classmate, Shukla told TOI that the police were concerned about the safety of women in the city. “If cases of stalking or misbehaving with any women are reported, the police take immediate action,” she said.

Shukla said neither the MBA student had reported the matter to the police nor the college principal provided them with details. “The case could not be prevented,” she said.

The police commissioner said the women should feel free to approach the police. “If any woman has a problem approaching the police alone, a friend can accompany her. The women should not ignore stalking and even lewd remarks, attempt to force them into relationships, misbehaviour and teasing,” she added.

Suspect in police custody

A local court on Tuesday remanded Rajesh Bakshi, arrested on charges of attempt to murder and stalking Ashwini, in police custody till April 10.

Shirdhar Jadhav, senior inspector of the Wakad police station who is investigating the case, said, “When the court asked Bakshi why he had attacked his classmate, Bakshi was in tears and unable to speak.”

During questioning, the officer said, Bakshi admitted to have decided to attack the girl. “On Sunday night, he had gone to a butcher’s shop and borrowed a chopper. he had told the butcher that he needed the chopper for a fair and vowed to return it on Monday morning,” Jadhav said.

On Monday morning, Bakshi went to the crime spot on a motorcycle with two sacks. “We will seize the motorcycle. We are also probing if any other person was involved in the attack,” Jadhav said.

An officer from the Wakad police station told TOI that Bakshi’s father reached Pune after he was informed about his arrest.

Rajesh has his roots in Haryana and has been living at Wakad.