In Dehradun, 92 vendors detained after woman alleges molestation by shop worker (Indian Express)

Police cite lack of permits; comes at a time when Uttarakhand is seeing heightened communal tensions and “anti-outsider” sentiment

By Avaneesh Mishra

The verification drive at Paltan Bazar in Dehradun. (Sourced)

Dehradun Police Tuesday detained 92 vendors at the city’s Paltan Bazar citing the lack of business permits – a development that comes after a woman levelled molestation charges against a shopkeeper in the area.

The verification drive for hawkers in the area comes after the police booked and arrested a man from Uttar Pradesh, identified as Umar, under sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 75 (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The arrest came on the back of a complaint from the woman against Umar, who worked at a shoe shop.

According to the Dehradun Police, the verification drive for vendors from outside the state followed a meeting between the district administration and the locals in the market area.

Dehradun Police Tuesday detained 92 vendors at the city’s Paltan Bazar citing the lack of business permits – a development that comes after a woman levelled molestation charges against a shopkeeper in the area.

The verification drive for hawkers in the area comes after the police booked and arrested a man from Uttar Pradesh, identified as Umar, under sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 75 (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The arrest came on the back of a complaint from the woman against Umar, who worked at a shoe shop.

This story was originally published in indianexpress.com. Read the full story here.

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