VISAKHAPATNAM: Three days after the rape of a woman in broad daylight along a footpath at Railway New Colony here, the city police on Wednesday booked the auto-rickshaw driver who recorded the video of the incident for allegedly sharing it with his friends. He has been taken into custody for interrogation.
It is also suspected that some of the cops at the control room have a role in leaking the video on social media.
According to II Town inspector GV Ramana, who is also the in-charge inspector of IV Town PS, the driver recorded the video and shared it with his contacts, leading to it getting uploaded and circulated on social media within no time.
“We have booked him under Section 354 (C) of the IPC and IT Act 67(A) for circulating the video of the woman being raped. The recorded video can be sent to the police as evidence, but not anyone else. It is alleged that the auto driver had sent the video to some of his friends after sending it to the police,” said Ramana.
He added that investigation was underway. “If policemen shared the video to other cops for investigation purpose, then it is fine, but if it is sent to friends or others casually, then action needs to be taken against them,” he said.
Meanwhile, slapping cases against the auto driver received mixed reactions from the public. While some say that he should have stopped the crime instead of recording it, others say the video was primary evidence. It may be recalled that a 40-year-old woman was allegedly raped by G Shiva (25) at the Railway New Colony around 2 pm on Oct 22.
The woman had reportedly left home after a dispute with her husband. The woman, who then spent her time on the roads, had not eaten for a few days and was lying in a semi-conscious state on the footpath under a tree when the accused allegedly raped her. The clip shows passers-by walking past the scene of crime without trying to help. Lawyers TNIE spoke to said the auto-rickshaw driver could be taken into custody for sharing the with others under the IT Act.
“But it is too early to comment on the legal provisions for arresting him for recording the video and not reacting as there are several angles to it. He may have not stopped the rapist out of fear of attack. Moreover the case is getting more complicated by the minute."