Kashmiri woman accuses landlady in southeast Delhi of calling her 'terrorist'; police registers case

New Delhi: A woman in southeast Delhi has alleged that she was targeted by her landlady for being a ‘Kashmiri’, was called a ’terrorist’, and in her absence had her furniture removed, police said on Thursday after registering a case following her complaint. In her complaint, the woman, who hails from Srinagar, has alleged that her landlady had entered the house along with a man and called her ’terrorist’ as she is from Kashmir. The Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) has issued a notice to the police in this connection and has sought an action taken report, copy of the FIR and whether any arrests have been made in the case. The incident occurred on Wednesday.  When the victim returned home, she found her house lock broken and valuables stolen. Her landlady was also at the spot. Soon a heated argument broke out between both the parties, police said. “We received a PCR call regarding a theft in a woman’s house. On reaching the spot, it was revealed that the house was rented to two sisters. Both are natives of Srinagar. The PCR call was made by their landlady,” a senior police officer said. The officer said the tenant alleged that her landlady had broken the locks of house and removed furniture and also stolen clothes and Rs 20,000. During inquiry, it was found that a quarrel had taken place earlier between them over house rent payment and electricity bills. The electricity connection was also disconnected by the BSES, the officer added. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) RP Meena said, “Based on a written complaint given by the tenant, a case has been registered under section 448 (punishment for house-trespass), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 457 (lurking house-trespass), 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of Indian Penal Code at Amar Colony police station and the matter is being investigated.” A written complaint has also been given by the landlady in this regard and it is also being examined, he said.

She claimed her landlady also abused them. “Then she framed us for stealing the furniture, which she herself took from here in our absence . She is calling us names, abusing us and provoking us. The man literally pushed me and the landlady as well tried to attack me , all in front of DELHI POLICE,” she alleged in her tweet. However, police, said they are probing about the man who was allegedly accompanying the landlady. Responding to her tweet, Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal said “This is shocking and shameful. DCW team is in touch. We’ll ensure action!” The DCW also issued a notice to the police in this connection and sought an action taken report, copy of the FIR and whether any arrests have been made in the case. It has also sought details whether any complaints were filed previously, details of any police personnel being present at the spot and steps taken to ensure the safety of the Kashmiri woman. It has sought this information by 19 October.