Kolkata: Taxi Driver Harasses Actor-MP Mimi Chakraborty, Arrested

In central Kolkata, a taxi driver was arrested for allegedly harassing actor and Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty on Monday afternoon. The driver reportedly made lewd comments and gestures at the MP.

According to reports, Chakraborty was returning home in her car, driven by her chauffeur. Around 1 pm, she noticed that the taxi driver was probably drunk. The cab was on the stretch between Ballygunge Phanri and Gariahat when she noticed him winking at her. Initially, the actor ignored it. But when he made another lewd gesture, she asked her chauffeur to overtake the taxi and forced it to stop, reported the Times of India.

Chakraborty, who represents Jadavpur in the Lok Sabha, stepped out of the car and confronted the driver. The accused was identified as Laxman Yadav alias Deba Yadav, 32. He is a resident of Anandpur, off EM Bypass. “Had I ignored it, some other woman would have been harassed if she took the taxi,” the MP told TOI.

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He overtook my car and repeated the gesture: Chakraborty

“I saw the taxi driver making lewd gestures at me. I thought it was unintentional mannerism, and ignored it. Then he overtook my car and repeated the gesture. This time, his actions were even more vulgar… I chased the taxi and got out and felt he was drinking and driving. Thus, I could not let him go,” she added.

Passers-by supported her in the confrontation. Chakraborty lodged an FIR at Gariahat PS against Yadav after alerting a traffic sergeant. The accused was immediately arrested. Yadav is to remain in police custody till September 20 on orders of a city court. On September 18, Chakraborty is expected to give a statement regarding the case before a judicial magistrate.

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Speak up against such actions: Chakraborty

In a statement, Chakraborty said that she was confident that the administration wouldn’t let the cabby go without any charges. Furthermore, she said, “Thanks to Kolkata police, he is now in custody.” She also had a message for women who are faced with similar situations. She said that speaking up and protesting against such people is very important.

“The arrested driver has been booked under various penal sections,” said DCP Debasmita Das.

Shikha Chandra is an intern with SheThePeople.TV

Image credits: The Indian Express