Indian Navy Officer Booked in Mumbai Road Rage Case for Assault and Outraging Woman’s Modesty

Mumbai:
The Azad Maidan police have registered a first information report (FIR) against a 30-year-old Indian Navy officer in connection with an alleged road rage incident that occurred near Liberty Cinema on Vitthaldas Thackersey Road on January 6. The case involves charges of assault, abuse, criminal intimidation, and outraging the modesty of a woman following a dispute over overtaking on a busy city road.

The complainant, a 51-year-old human resources professional, has accused the officer of forcibly taking her motorcycle key, verbally abusing her and her husband, and physically pushing her during the confrontation.

Incident Reported Near Liberty Cinema

According to the police complaint, the woman and her husband were travelling on their Yamaha motorcycle at around 7 pm when a disagreement arose with the driver of a car over overtaking. The situation reportedly escalated quickly after the car driver stopped their vehicle near Liberty Cinema.

The complainant stated that the car driver forcibly removed the key from their two-wheeler without consent and began abusing both her and her husband. The verbal exchange soon turned physical, leading to a series of actions that prompted her to approach the police.

Allegations of Physical Force and Intimidation

As per the woman’s statement, when she attempted to retrieve the motorcycle key by taking the car’s key in return, the accused allegedly reacted aggressively. She claimed that he caught her hand in the car door, restricting her movement and refusing to return the motorcycle key.

The complaint further alleges that the accused continued to hurl abuses during the altercation. After some time, he reportedly threw the motorcycle key on the ground and pushed the woman forcefully on her left shoulder and chest.

The woman told police that the alleged act caused her mental humiliation and amounted to an outrage of her modesty, prompting her to seek legal action against the accused.

Police Intervention at the Scene

The incident reportedly took place in the presence of patrolling police officers. According to officials, the officers intervened and brought both parties to the Azad Maidan police station to prevent the situation from escalating further and to record statements.

At the police station, the accused identified himself as Harshvardhan Singh Rathore, aged 30. He stated that he is an officer in the Indian Navy and currently resides at the Naval Station in Uran, Navi Mumbai. Police records also note that he is originally from Sector 21, Dwarka, in South West Delhi.

FIR Registered After Woman’s Statement

Following the woman’s detailed statement, Azad Maidan police registered an FIR against Rathore under relevant sections of the law pertaining to assault, use of criminal force, criminal intimidation, and outraging the modesty of a woman.

Police officials confirmed that the case was registered after examining the sequence of events described by the complainant and considering the nature of the allegations. Further investigation is expected to focus on verifying statements, examining the scene, and collecting any additional evidence related to the incident.

Road Rage Incidents Under Scrutiny

The case has once again brought attention to incidents of road rage in Mumbai, particularly in high-traffic areas during peak evening hours. Disputes arising from overtaking, lane changes, and traffic congestion have increasingly resulted in confrontations, sometimes escalating into physical altercations.

Law enforcement officials have repeatedly urged motorists to exercise restraint and avoid confrontations on the road, emphasising that aggressive behaviour can lead to serious legal consequences.

Professional Background of the Accused

While the accused identified himself as an Indian Navy officer during police questioning, officials did not comment on whether his service authorities have been informed of the case. The FIR has been registered in accordance with standard legal procedures, and the matter is being handled by the local police as a civilian criminal case.

The accused’s designation and place of residence have been recorded as part of the investigation, police sources said.

What Happens Next

Police officials said further investigation is underway to establish the full sequence of events. Statements from witnesses, including the patrolling officers present at the scene, are expected to be recorded. Investigators may also examine whether any additional evidence, such as nearby CCTV footage, can support the claims made in the complaint.

The accused is expected to be called for further questioning as part of the investigation process. Police said appropriate legal action will follow based on the findings of the probe.