A month after Danish woman rape, some things change

Almost a month after a Danish woman was raped in Railway Officers’ Club premises near the New Delhi railway station, several women employees working with the railways admitted that they were advised not to visit the area. At present, new security measures including the installation of CCTV cameras make them feel more secure.

“Instead of going inside the club premises, we prefer walking outside our office area during lunch break. This place is safe till late afternoon. However, beyond office hours it wears a deserted look,” said Meenakshi Dogra, an IRCTC employee.

The 51-year-old Danish woman was allegedly robbed, beaten up and gang-raped at knifepoint on the club premises on the State Entry Road on January 14. She was pushed into a small garden, where nine men took turns to rape her. 

Police patrolling in the area has also considerably increased, said another IRCTC employee. “However, on days when the offices are closed, the deserted streets look scary,” she added. Rajesh Kumar, another Railway employee, said, “There was hardly any vigil in the area before.”

At present, there are instructions not to entertain outsiders on the club premises. Mahendra Yadav, 35, one of the security guards appointed at the Railway Officers’ Club since February 1, said, “The ground is frequently rented out for birthday celebrations and other events. But we have orders not to let in vagabonds inside the ground. This was not the case earlier.”    

Shyamsundar Yadav, another security guard deployed recently, aired the same view. “Also now there is police patrolling near the ground every alternate hour. CCTV cameras were also installed recently.”

PCR vans can also be spotted every now and then, added another IRCTC employee Sanchi Girotra. “Police vigil should be beefed up on days offices are closed here like it was on the fateful day. Also the installation of CCTV cameras will possibly put a cap on crimes on the premises,” Girotra said.

On February 6, a court here extended the judicial custody of five men arrested in connection with the case till February 20.