Senior ministers stepped in after three Arunachal tenants alleged racial harassment in South Delhi, prompting arrests, an ACP-led probe and invocation of stringent legal provisions.
Visual of Ruby Jain and Harsh Singh, who have been arrested in connection with a case of alleged racial abuse and criminal intimidation involving three women from Arunachal Pradesh in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar. | IANS
The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested a couple in connection with the alleged racial abuse and criminal intimidation of three women from Arunachal Pradesh at Malviya Nagar in South Delhi. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has said the Centre would ensure “strict legal action” in the case.
The incident, which took place on February 20, has drawn sharp political attention, with senior Union ministers stepping in and the police invoking provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The probe is now being carried out by an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and is under the close supervision of senior officials, police said.
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According to Delhi Police, the accused, identified as Harsh Singh and his wife Ruby Jain, residents of Malviya Nagar, have been arrested. The FIR at Malviya Nagar Police Station was filed under BNS Sections 79, 351(2), 196 and 3(5), dealing with insult to modesty, criminal intimidation, promoting enmity and acts done with common intention.
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As per police, the three women tenants were monitoring electrical installation work in their flat when drilling caused dust to filter into the premises of neighbours living below. What began as a minor grievance allegedly escalated into a volatile confrontation. The complainants have alleged mental harassment and humiliation; no physical injuries were reported.
Speaking on the issue, Rijiju said his office had been in touch with the victims and Delhi Police “since day one”.
“Regarding the recent incident involving three Arunachal girls in Malviya Nagar, my own office staff has been in touch with the three Arunachal girls, and we’ve been in touch with the Delhi Police since day one. If any incident occurs in Delhi with anyone from the Northeast, we take immediate action. In this incident in Malviya Nagar, the police took action. I’ve been following up personally, and arrests have been made. We will take strict legal action and teach a lesson that people from the Northeast should not be treated badly,” he said, according to news agency ANI.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also condemned the incident, saying any injustice against people from the Northeast “will not be tolerated”.
In a post on X, the Union Minister said, “Deeply disturbed by the racial harassment faced by three young women from Arunachal Pradesh in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi. A minor residential issue escalating into abuse and intimidation rooted in prejudice is profoundly shameful.”
“Spoke with CM of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu ji, and took up the matter with the Commissioner of Delhi Police. Have sought immediate and stringent action. An FIR has been registered, and I am assured the accused will be apprehended swiftly. Any injustice against our brothers and sisters from the Northeast will not be tolerated. Their safety and dignity are paramount to us,” he added.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said he had spoken to the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure swift action. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi too condemned the episode.
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