Ahmedabad: Vejalpur police have booked a serving police inspector for allegedly molesting a 19-year-old woman inside a residential lift. The incident occurred on the evening of November 19, when the student was visiting her maternal uncle in the Vejalpur area.

According to the victim, she entered the lift of a residential building where the accused, Barkatali Chavda, was already present. As the lift moved, Chavda allegedly placed his hand on her shoulder and then touched her inappropriately. Shocked and terrified, the student froze until the lift reached the sixth floor. When others entered and the doors opened, Chavda exited.

The student immediately contacted the Abhayam 181 women’s helpline, where counsellors advised her to take formal action. She then filed a complaint at Vejalpur Police Station, leading to the registration of an FIR.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Barkatali Chavda is posted as an inspector at the State Police Control Room in Gandhinagar. It has also come to light that he has faced internal controversies in the past. The police are currently recording a detailed statement from the victim, reviewing CCTV footage from the building, and collecting other evidence related to the incident. The fact that such an act was allegedly committed by a law enforcement officer has raised concern and sparked discussions within the police department. DeshGujarat