Muslim Girl Running Tea Stall Assaulted in Meerut; Police File FIR Against ‘Both Parties’

‘Arshi, with critical head injury, is currently under observation at district hospital in Meerut’

Team Clarion

NEW DELHI – A 23-year-old Muslim girl was severely assaulted by a group of four to five men in Meerut where she runs a tea stall. Arshi has been hospitalised where she has received up to 12 stitches in her head.

Police have termed the assault a result of business rivalry between two shop-keepers. Ashok, the owner of a confectionery shop next to Arshi’s tea stall, had problems with her. He had in the past alleged that she allows people of dubious character in her stall. People of the area blame Ashok for the assault.

SHO of Delhi gate police station in Meerut told Clarion India over the phone that FIRs have been filed against “both parties”, including Arshi, under various sections of Indian Penal Code 376, 511, 307. A separate case against Arshi has been filed by Joyti, a family member of Ashok.

Activists belonging to Hindu Yuva Vahini are said to be pressuring the police to file cases against Arshi claiming that she had beaten up Ashok and others. Police rejected the charge. “How can a lone girl beat up people? But the political atmosphere of the country has become such that everyone is trying to prove himself a big neta. But we take action in a fair manner,” said Tyagi, the SHO.

Journalist Piyush Rai tweeted about the incident saying: “Arshi, with critical head injury, is currently under observation at district hospital in Meerut. Interestingly, an FIR was registered against Arshi for assault and charge of attempt to rape against three of Arshi’s friend based on the complaint of a woman from the rival side.”