Surat Incident: Two Girls Harassed Within 5 Feet, CCTV Captures Police Failing to Patrol Amid Parade Culture and Social Challenges
“Police officers should use their authority wisely. A true policeman is one who communicates with criminals in the language they understand,” stated Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home Affairs, Harsh Sanghavi.
On December 7, 2024, in Surat, police organized public parades for suspects involved in three separate cases in a single day. This practice, often referred to as “criminal parades,” has raised questions about whether such displays are overshadowing core police patrolling duties.
Criminal Activities Persist Despite Police Crackdowns
Even with police claims of restoring law and order by arresting criminals and issuing warnings to habitual offenders, crime rates in Surat show no signs of declining. A stark example emerged in the Udhna area, where a man harassed two minor girls on a public road, just five feet away, causing a public outcry.
The entire incident was captured on CCTV, highlighting a serious lapse in safety measures.
Efforts to Curb Crime with Public Warnings
Surat Police have been asserting their proactive stance on crime prevention. Recently, in Zone-4 of Surat, areas such as Pandesara, Khatodara, and Althan witnessed an unusual gathering of over 100 habitual offenders with criminal histories.
Organized in a hall, the meeting was led by Zone-4 DCP Vijay Singh Gurjar, who issued stern warnings to these individuals to abstain from criminal activities. Despite these efforts, the persistence of criminal incidents raises concerns about their effectiveness.
Incident in Surat’s Udhna Area
In a shocking incident from a society lane in Surat’s Udhna area, a young man was caught on CCTV harassing two minor girls. The footage clearly shows the accused first approaching a young girl seated on a moped and attempting to grab her, but the girl manages to escape. Later, he notices two other girls approaching and grabs one of them from behind. The girl struggles and frees herself before fleeing with her companion.
The video, showing the harassment occurring openly within a mere five-foot distance, quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage against the accused. The incident has also raised serious questions about the safety of women and girls in public spaces.
Shocking Incident of Harassment in Surat’s Udhna Area
On December 8, 2024, an unidentified man entered a residential society in Surat’s Udhna area and harassed two minor girls. According to a written complaint filed by the society’s president, the accused not only harassed the girls but also attempted to abduct them. CCTV footage shows the man brazenly walking around the society, capturing a chilling sequence of events.
Police Launch Investigation
DCP Bhagirath Gadhvi stated, “We have obtained CCTV footage showing the suspect harassing young girls. Immediate action has been taken, and five teams have been formed to identify and apprehend the accused. Using the footage and additional details, we are actively pursuing the case.”
The incident, which occurred on December 8, 2024, initially went unreported as the society’s president did not immediately inform the police. However, a formal complaint has now been filed. The police have assured the public that they are committed to ensuring the safety of women and children and will take swift action to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Second Incident in 12 Days Raises Concerns About Women’s Safety in Gujarat
In a span of just 12 days, Gujarat has witnessed two shocking incidents that have highlighted serious concerns about women’s safety. Earlier, a video went viral on social media showing a young man engaging in obscene behavior in front of women while traveling on the Ahmedabad metro. The incident caused widespread outrage, prompting swift police action. The man was later apprehended and found to be mentally unstable.
Now, just days after that incident, the horrific case of harassment and gang rape in Surat has further intensified the debate on women’s safety. These consecutive events have raised critical questions about the effectiveness of current measures to protect women in public spaces.
