Women harassers trapped in midnight safety check

In a daring undercover operation to assess women’s safety in Hyderabad, Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B. Sumathi stood alone near a bus stand in the city for nearly three hours past midnight and faced harassment from around 40 men.
According to police, Sumathi, dressed in a chudidar and without police uniform, stayed near the Malkajgiri bus stand from 12.30 a.m. to 3.30 a.m. as part of a field exercise to understand the real situation faced by women on city roads at night.
During the operation, several men, including students, office-goers and intoxicated persons, allegedly approached her and made inappropriate remarks. Police personnel who were monitoring the area in plain clothes immediately detained the suspects and shifted them to the police station for questioning.
Police said the accused were counselled in the presence of their family members and warned against harassing women in public places. Cases have been registered against the suspects, while further investigation is continuing against some persons allegedly found under the influence of ganja and alcohol.
Speaking about the operation, Commissioner Sumathi said the exercise was conducted to send a strong message that those who harass women would not escape punishment.
She added that many of the accused were youngsters and students.
Police officials said this was not the first such operation conducted by Sumathi. Nearly 25 years ago, while serving as a DSP near Kazipet railway station, she had carried out a similar undercover operation and arrested several offenders involved in harassing women.
The midnight operation has drawn widespread praise from the public and women’s groups for highlighting the safety concerns faced by women during late-night hours in Hyderabad.