Sri Vijaya Puram, November 6: Raising fresh concerns over women’s safety in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a woman working at G.B. Pant Hospital has accused a man of assaulting her, attempting to tear her clothes and harassing her while she was returning home from duty on November 4.
According to the complaint lodged with Aberdeen Police, the incident occurred between 6.15 pm and 7 pm when the accused, whom the woman described as her friend, approached her on a motorcycle and asked her to accompany him.
When she refused, he allegedly blocked her way, forcibly grabbed her and attempted to tear her clothes. The woman also accused him of repeatedly slapping her and using obscene and abusive language in public.
The alleged assault near one of the islands’ busiest government hospitals has raised questions about the safety of women commuting to and from work, particularly during evening hours.
Police register case
The woman approached Aberdeen Police Station later that evening, where her statement was recorded in the presence of a social worker associated with the Joint Action Telugu Committee.
Police registered a case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to assault, harassment, wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation.
Sub-Inspector Deepti Minj has been assigned to investigate the matter.
Recent cases put women’s safety in focus
The complaint comes against the backdrop of several cases involving alleged sexual violence in the islands.
In April 2026, The Wave Andaman reported the arrest of six men following allegations that a minor girl in Sri Vijaya Puram had been drugged and sexually abused over several months. Another case that month involved a woman who alleged that she was abducted and sexually assaulted after being lured with a promise to return money owed to her.
In March 2025, police arrested a British national following allegations of sexual assault against a woman tourist at Swaraj Dweep.
According to National Crime Records Bureau data, the islands recorded 156 cases of crimes against women in 2024.
These cases underline the need for effective policing, timely investigations and stronger safeguards for women in public spaces.
The latest allegations remain under investigation, and the accused’s culpability has yet to be established.
