MUMBAI: A 24-year-old woman was allegedly molested by a drug addict right outside the city police commissionerate on Monday evening. The incident took place barely two days after the police chief, Rakesh Maria, launched an SMS service for women travelling alone, raising questions about the usefulness of such plans.

According to eyewitnesses, the victim, a front-desk officer at a bank, was waiting for a taxi when the stalker came close to her. He then pulled her towards him and as she fell on the ground, he pounced on her and molested her. "I was standing at the spot. Initially I did not pay much attention to what was happening. But when I realized that the accused had overpowered her and she was crying in pain, I pounced on him, and gave him a few blows," said Nadeem Madar, son of Chand who was killed by diesel mafia king Mohammed Ali in 2010.

Immediately a huge mob gathered at the spot and started thrashing the stalker until a police patrol van arrived and took him to the Azad Maidan police station. The victim who was bleeding due to injuries was given first-aide. The Azad Maidan police have recorded her statement. "She is in trauma and does not want to pursue the case," said one of her colleagues.

The accused, Moinuddin Ansari, is a resident of Wadi bunder. Sources said Ansari used to work for a company which had an account in the victim's bank and he would often come there for clearance of cheques. "We don't know why he molested the victim. He was sacked by his company two months ago," the victim's colleague added.

