Guwahati: Sensational molestation and attempt to rape by Islamist auto rickshaw driver case in Guwahato shocks the city. A young woman from Arunachal Pradesh who came to Guwahati was molested and nearly raped by an autorickshaw driver who took her to an isolated place on the night of June 7 instead of dropping her at her destination. The accused, Monowar Hussain, was arrested by Guwahati police on June 10 after he had been absconding for two days since the incident. The case has sent a wave of shock and outrage across the city.
According to the FIR filed by the victim, she booked an autorickshaw through a mobile app late on the night of June 7 to travel to Ganeshguri, a locality in the city. She boarded the vehicle near the Novotel hotel. But Monowar Hussain never took her to Ganeshguri. Instead, he drove the autorickshaw to a deserted, isolated place. Once there, he molested her and threatened her to cooperate. When she resisted, he physically assaulted her, hitting her repeatedly. In a calculated move he smashed her mobile phone so that she could not call for help or contact anyone. He then attempted to rape her.
What followed was an act of sheer courage. The young woman refused to give in. She fought back against her attacker, managed to overpower the situation, and escaped from the spot on her own.
Despite the trauma and physical assault she had endured, she walked to safety and the next morning — on June 8 — went straight to the Dispur police station and lodged a formal FIR against the accused.
After the incident, Monowar Hussain fled and went into hiding. He remained absconding for two days as the police launched a search for him.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, Guwahati police tracked him down and arrested him on Tuesday morning. The autorickshaw used in the crime was also seized. Monowar was subsequently produced before a local court, which sent him to police custody for further investigation.
The incident has once again raised serious questions about the safety of women using app-based cab and autorickshaw services, particularly late at night. The fact that the accused was a registered driver on a transport app and still committed such a crime has deepened public concern.
Unofficial data shows that over 75 percent of Guwahati’s cab and autorickshaw drivers are Muslims from various districts like Dhubri, Barpeta, Hailakandi etc.
