Kolkata Police ASI Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Harassment of Woman Civic Volunteer During Durga Puja
Kolkata Police arrested 50-year-old Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Kabirul Hasan Mondal following allegations of sexual harassment made by a 21-year-old woman civic volunteer during the city’s Durga Puja celebrations. Media reports have identified the accused as Kabirul Hasan Mondal, although some outlets have referred to him as Kabirul Islam. He is posted with the Kolkata Armed Police’s Third Battalion, B Company. A video purportedly showing the incident has circulated widely on social media, triggering public outrage and raising serious questions about the conduct of personnel entrusted with maintaining public order and ensuring women’s safety.
The incident reportedly took place late on Saturday, October 17, near the exit gate of the Suruchi Sangha Durga Puja pandal in New Alipore. The complainant, a resident of Behala, was performing her duties as a civic volunteer when she sat on a chair near the exit between 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The circulating footage shows two women civic volunteers wearing orange T-shirts while a uniformed police officer stands behind them. The video appears to show the officer touching one of the women inappropriately, while she visibly expresses discomfort and her companion looks on.
According to media reports, the woman submitted a written complaint at New Alipore police station on Sunday, October 18, alleging that the officer had made unwanted physical contact with her while she was on duty. Police reportedly registered a case under Section 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with sexual harassment. The accused was arrested on Monday, October 19, and his family was informed of the arrest.
Suruchi Sangha is a prominent Durga Puja destination that attracts large crowds during the festive season. Civic volunteers frequently work late into the night, assisting with crowd management and directing visitors at busy entrances and exits. The allegation that a police officer engaged in inappropriate conduct towards a young volunteer at her designated duty post is particularly troubling because of the position of trust and authority he held. The case has consequently intensified public concerns about accountability within the police force and the safeguards available to women working alongside law enforcement personnel.
Street harassment, including catcalling, sexually suggestive remarks and unwanted physical contact, remains a serious concern in many Indian cities. The present case, however, raises a distinct issue: how should the system respond when the person accused of misconduct is himself a member of the police force? Regardless of an accused person's religion, background or official position, allegations of sexual harassment must be investigated impartially, and the law must apply equally to everyone. Uniformed personnel should be held to high standards of professional conduct because their authority comes with a responsibility to protect the public.
The case also brings renewed attention to the importance of consistent punishment for crimes against women. Public confidence in the justice system depends on investigations that establish the facts, fair trials and proportionate sentences when guilt is proven. While controversial judicial decisions in other cases have sometimes generated debate about leniency towards offenders convicted of serious crimes, the appropriate outcome in this matter must depend on the evidence, the applicable law and the court's findings. If the allegations are established, the accused should face the punishment prescribed by law.
The location of the alleged incident has also drawn attention because it occurred near a Durga Puja pavilion, a setting closely associated with Hindu worship and public celebration. However, the religious identity of the accused does not establish guilt, nor should criminal accountability depend on the faith of either the accused or the complainant. The central question is whether the alleged conduct occurred and whether the evidence supports the charges.
The incident has also prompted comparisons with reports about strict morality laws in Saudi Arabia, including claims circulating in some accounts about severe punishment for conduct inside religious premises. Such comparisons require careful verification, as the circumstances, applicable laws and reported facts of individual cases can differ significantly. Saudi Arabia's legal system is influenced by Islamic law, but punishments cannot simply be assumed to apply uniformly to every alleged offence. Similarly, advocacy for incorporating religious principles into India's legal system should be examined through clear questions about constitutional rights, equality before the law and the protection of women.
Ultimately, the case involving ASI Kabirul Hasan Mondal raises an important question about whether demands for justice remain consistent regardless of a person's religion, profession or social standing. Those who advocate religious principles in matters of criminal justice should be prepared to explain how their proposals would address sexual harassment, protect victims and ensure accountability. The immediate priority, however, must be a fair investigation, a judicial determination based on evidence and appropriate legal consequences if the accused is found guilty. No police uniform should place anyone above the law, and no allegation should be treated as a substitute for due process.
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