Keralam registers zero FIR over alleged assault on NSUI activist during Delhi protest

Police in Keralam on Thursday registered a zero FIR over the alleged assault on NSUI activist Athira Vijayan in Delhi during a protest against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR exercise, officials said.

The zero FIR was registered at Museum police station here following a complaint by Athira to the state police chief.

A Zero FIR is a case that is registered at any police station irrespective of the place where the crime took place.

According to the FIR, the incident occurred at Connaught Place in Delhi on October 13 during a flash protest by the NSUI. The FIR invokes various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to assault on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, attempt to disrobe a woman, voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, verbal abuse and criminal intimidation.

The FIR does not name any police officer or others as accused.

According to the FIR, the complainant and other activists were transported by bus to Connaught Place, where they were forcibly dragged out onto the street. Athira has also alleged that attempts were made to tear her clothes.

Subsequently, near Connaught Place police station, the accused allegedly hit Athira in her face and forcibly held her arms behind her back. They also kicked her in her private parts and lower abdomen and attempted to snatch her phone, the FIR said.

"When she resisted this, they tightened the shawl she was wearing around her neck and threatened to kill her. By acting in concert, actively encouraging, and assisting one another, the accused caused injury to the complainant's neck through constriction with a shawl — necessitating hospital treatment — and inflicted humiliation and mental distress upon her...," the FIR said.