Belgian says shop salesman molested her, accused cries foul

A salesman from a shop in Colaba was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly molesting a 40-year-old Belgium national. Though the incident occurred on Saturday, the victim approached the Colaba police only on Tuesday.

The salesman, Meraj Mir, is said to have fainted when the police came to the shop to arrest him and he had to be taken to hospital. He was arrested a few hours later after discharge and produced in court, which granted him bail for Rs15,000.

The police said Mir has claimed that he didn't touch the woman and that he has been falsely implicated.

The complainant bought some clothes from the shop on Saturday. She returned to the shop later in the day to exchange a few clothes and that's when Mir allegedly touched her inappropriately, officers said.

An officer said, "The woman came to the police station on Tuesday to file a complaint. When we asked her why she did not approach us earlier, she said she had to go to the embassy for some visa-related work."

We will record statements and submit the report to the court, he added.