American woman sexually assaulted in Delhi metro, accuses man of inappropriate touching

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : A case of alleged sexual assault of a former student of Indian-origin professor Gaurav Sabnis, who works at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, USA, has come to light during his visit to India. The incident occurred while the student was using public transportation in Delhi. This incident has once again raised serious questions about safety and social sensitivity.

Professor Gaurav Sabnis, in a note shared on social media , said that in November, a former student of his approached him for advice about traveling to India. The student was traveling to India for about a week to attend a friend's wedding. Sabnis had warned her about potential harassment and unwanted behavior, especially in Delhi.

She wrote that being a foreigner and a blonde woman could make her the center of unwanted attention. Unfortunately, upon arriving in India, the student faced exactly what was feared.

After arriving in India , the student wrote to her professor that she had been constantly asked for selfies and photographs. She refused many men, while agreeing to requests from women and children. According to the student, the experience was sometimes uncomfortable and sometimes normal, but the incident on the Delhi Metro left her shaken.

Alleged incident in Delhi Metro

According to the student, a minor boy in Delhi Metro first requested to take a photo with her. The boy was with his mother and sister, so she agreed for the photo. It is alleged that during the photo, the boy first grabbed her shoulder and then made inappropriate physical contact. After this, the boy started to grab her. The American wrote in the message, 'He directly grabbed my breast tightly. He slapped my buttocks and started laughing as if he was joking.

In her message, the student stated that she was shocked and horrified by the behavior. When she protested, the boy's family defended him, calling her reaction "excessive." The student expressed deep disappointment that the boy's mother and sister allegedly sided with the accused instead of trying to reason with him. According to her, the incident was downplayed by claiming the boy had never seen a foreign woman before.

Following the incident, the student told the professor that the experience had negatively impacted her memories of her trip to India. She also stated that she now avoids traveling not only to India but throughout South Asia, although she expressed respect for Indian culture and the country itself.