Hyderabad: During the Ganesh Festival, SHE Teams in Hyderabad took action against 1612 people for harassing women. Many offenders were older, challenging stereotypes about age and behavior.
The operation revealed that 211 of those caught were over 40, and 45 were over 50. SHE Teams used plainclothes officers and hidden cameras in busy areas like festival zones and immersion points. Their swift actions helped make the environment safer for women and visitors.
Out of the 1612 cases, 168 were minor offenses. Nampally Court heard 70 cases, resulting in fines of Rs 50 in 10 cases, Rs 1,050 in 59 cases, and a two-day jail term in one case. Ninety-eight cases are still awaiting court hearings. Meanwhile, 1444 individuals received warnings and must attend counseling sessions with their families.
Professional counselors and psychiatrists lead these sessions to change behavior and raise awareness. The offenders included 68 under 18, 290 aged 18-20, 646 aged 21-30, 397 aged 31-40, 166 aged 41-50, and 45 over 50. Dr. Lavanya, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Women’s Safety Wing, spearheaded this initiative, highlighting the police’s firm stand against harassment in public places.
