Rajkot: A routine evening walk at Race Course turned into a horrific nightmare for a couple after the 33-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted and molested by a man, raising serious concerns about women’s safety in the city’s oldest and favourite hangout area located in the heart of the city.Shockingly, the incident occurred around 10:15pm when Race Course and the surrounding areas are teeming with people spending quality time with families in the garden, taking a walk or having delicacies at the numerous roadside food outlets and restaurants.According to the case details, the woman and her husband were walking in the Love Garden, with the husband a few steps ahead. The assailant, later identified as Vijay Kuvariya, a resident of the Raiyadhar area, suddenly approached the woman from behind, grabbed her by the neck, covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming and inappropriately touched her. He then pushed her to the ground, causing physical injuries. Police said her husband did not realize what had happened as the woman was gagged initially, and he had walked further. When the woman somehow managed to raise an alarm, Kuvariya jumped over the garden grille and fled. The couple was initially reluctant to approach the police, fearing social stigma. However, the following day, the victim’s husband reportedly spotted the suspect again in the same garden and confronted him. He then dialled the 112 emergency number, and the police reached the spot. They caught Kuvariya and took him and the couple to the police station where the formal complaint was registered by the woman.Preliminary inquiry revealed that Kuvariya did not know the woman. He works at a roadside stall selling bhajiyas.A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 75(1)(i) (sexual harassment, including making sexually coloured remarks, unwelcome physical contact, or other inappropriate sexual conduct toward a woman), and section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt).
