Boys’ group stalks Galleria shoppers

GURGAON: Posing as NGO volunteers, three boys have reportedly been harassing visitors, especially women at Galleria market, one of the premium marketplaces in the city.
“Three strangers knocked on the car’s window at the market’s parking lot. When I refused to donate money, one of them passed a coarse comment. When I threatened to call police, they fled on a motorcycle,” Chitra (name changed), who runs a restaurant in the market, said.
She, however, has not been the only one. Narrating her horrid experience, 36-year-old Manavi said, “It was around 8pm. One of the boys came close to my car and insisted I roll it down. I refused and drove away immediately. I noticed them following my car on a motorbike. They were making vulgar gestures. I was so scared that I called my husband who drove to Golf Course Road from his office . We filed a police complaint.” She travels regularly from Sohna Road to Galleria Market, as she runs a salon there.
According to Prakash, who works as a security guard in the market, the group arrives in the morning and leaves late in the evening. “We don’t let troublemakers in the market. However, we can’t restrict their movement in the parking area, which is situated behind the market,” he said.
“There was a time, when I used to send my daughter alone to Galleria market, as it was considered a safe place. However, things have changed over the last two months. Many people have also stopped coming to Raahgiri, since these boys come in good numbers and harass women,” said Shikha, a resident of Ridgewood Estate, a condominium in DLF Phase IV.
Ashok, SHO of Sector 29 police station, said, “I think most of them are juveniles. We, therefore, can’t arrest them. The issue has been brought to our notice. We will keep an eye and send them to a shelter home if we nab them.”