TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore, Apr 10: Crimes against women, particularly those visiting the city, seem to be on the rise. Just a couple of days after a Filipina was allegedly molested, an English woman fell victim on Tuesday night. There was, however, one difference — while a local was allegedly involved in the Filipina incident, it was a visitor from US who allegedly attempted to rape this 39-year-old woman employee of an MNC. 

The victim (39), an employee of BP, checked into a star hotel on Sankey Road on March 30. She had come on an official trip and was staying in room number 325. The accused, Alfred Lawry (52), a weather radar engineer, checked in on April 7 and was staying at room number 326, next to the English woman’s room. He was in Bangalore to execute a project for another MNC, Enterprise Electronics Corporation (EEC). EEC executes contracts for Bharat Electronics Limited and Indian Air Force.

At 9.15 pm on Tuesday, Alfred barged into the English woman’s room in an inebriated condition and tried to molest her. She cried out for help. A room service man, Yellappa, and lobby man Pratap rushed to rescue her. As Alfred had closed the door from inside, they had to break into the room. Later, the High Grounds police were informed about the incident and Alfred was handed over to them. 

“The woman had bruise injuries on her face and was in shock. We assured her that the accused will be arrested and security will be given to her. The accused was sent for medical examination, while the victim was also sent for treatment,’’ DCP central B N S Reddy said. 

The police have booked Alfred under Sections 448, 354, 376 and 511 of IPC. “The accused has been produced before the magistrate and was remanded to judicial custody till April 23. Alfred is from Alabama in US, while the victim was working in Berkshire in UK. She will be leaving for UK in a day or two,’’ police added.

IPC is vague

Police have booked Lawry for attempting rape. Supreme Court has held that a man arrested for preparing to rape a woman cannot be charged under Sec 376 of IPC, which provides for a minimum punishment of 7 years in jail. It also added that the accused cannot be charged with attempted rape under Sec 511 which deals with attempts to commit offences