Lucknow, Oct 17 (IANS): An auto-rickshaw driver molested a blind national-level athlete in the state capital, police said Thursday. However, when she tried to lodge an FIR, she was 'advised' to come Thursday morning as it was "too late and she was blind".

The first information report (FIR) was lodged Thursday and police were trying to identify the auto in which the incident occurred.

Wazirganj police officer Abhinav Singh Pundeer told IANS the woman was molested Wednesday while returning to her Aliganj home from the Alambagh bus station. Moreover, her pleas for help from passersby fell on deaf ears.

The woman, belonging to Ghazipur district in the state, lives with her husband in Aliganj and had gone to Alambagh to meet her sister.

On her way home, she took an auto rickshaw. After other passengers got off at Charbagh and Qaiserbagh, the driver molested her as the auto moved towards Balrampur Hospital, the woman told the police.

The victim said she then asked the driver to stop for a cup of tea. The woman added that the moment the vehicle halted at a tea point located at Qaiserbagh district judge's court, she slapped the assailant, jumped out of the auto and raised an alarm.

As people rushed towards her, the driver sped away. With help, the woman reached home and returned with her husband. However, her attempts to lodge an FIR Wednesday were in vain