Nashik: What began as a leisurely Sunday outing to the Bhavli Dam and waterfall near Igatpuri turned into a harrowing experience for a family of eight from Nashik after members of another group allegedly targeted a woman in their party.
The family said two men at the site whistled and sexually harassed the woman as they were preparing to leave. “We had gone for a picnic. We had our food, played in the water, and then we were leaving. That’s when two people there called out my name and started harassing me,” the victim said while describing the incident.
When the woman protested and her husband confronted the men, tensions escalated. “I scolded the men. My husband also confronted them and asked why they were harassing a woman in a public place,” she added.
According to the family, the initial altercation quickly drew others, as reported by NDTV. People running nearby food stalls joined in swelling the group. “Soon there were 8-10 men and they all charged at us,” the victim said.
The family tried to defuse the situation and leave, but the assailants allegedly followed. After a brief confrontation the family moved to their car, only to be blocked and attacked.
“After a little confrontation, we tried to leave. When we moved in our car, they blocked us and started smashing our car windows. They then chased us for nearly 20 kilometers. They damaged our car completely with iron rods. The car is completely destroyed,” the victim recounted.
Children were inside the vehicle during the attack, and the victim said they remain shaken. “The children are still so scared,” she said.
Following the family’s complaint, Igatpuri police have identified six men and are questioning them, while a search continues for the remaining suspects. The family also alleged that during the scuffle the husband’s gold chain was snatched and one member’s mobile phone went missing. Police are trying to trace the phone’s location.
