‘Being hounded despite apology’: Noida teen in PM abuse FIR forced to change homes thrice amid threats
GURGAON: Since she was named in an FIR filed by Noida Police on July 29 for allegedly using profanities against PM Modi during the protest at Jantar Mantar on paper leaks and education reforms, a teenager from Noida and her mother have been forced to move houses three times, their lawyer told TOI Monday.Questioning the validity of the FIR, advocate Anil Kumar claimed the girl was only 14 years old when the complaint was filed. She turned 15 on Aug 1. The FIR, which was based on a complaint from a lawyer citing the video in which the girl was purportedly seen mouthing profanities, does not mention her age. It invokes BNS charges under defamation, intentional insult and statements amounting to public mischief.The teenager, who has since publicly apologised, has claimed she has been receiving rape and death threats on her social media accounts. According to the lawyer, after random strangers and police personnel showed up at their Noida residence, they became concerned for their safety and moved to a relative’s place in Faridabad. But with threats continuing, they have moved again to an undisclosed location.“She is a 15-year-old minor studying in Class 10 under the open schooling system from a school in Delhi, not a 25-year-old salon worker as claimed in online rumours. The name ‘Ruchika’ being circulated on social media is not her real identity,” Kumar said, adding that her mother is a single parent who supports the family by giving private tuition classes.Kumar said constant hounding had deeply affected the teenager and her mother.“Since her address was leaked in the FIR details, politically affiliated people and unruly elements began turning up at their residence, issuing direct threats, including rape threats. Fearing for their lives, they were forced to flee,” said the lawyer.In a video interview the teenager gave earlier, she said she had gone to Connaught Place with friends, only to find the markets closed due to the protest at Jantar Mantar. Caught in the crowd, she was approached by individuals recording videos. “They told me something wrong was happening and that I had the freedom to speak. Then I said those things. What I said was wrong. I apologised, and I will continue to apologise till my apology is accepted,” she said. The teen’s mother, too, had tendered an apology.Noida Police had filed a zero FIR, which it transferred to Delhi. Delhi Police has not registered any case. A senior police officer in Noida said that a zero FIR can be registered anywhere.“The complaint can name a juvenile as well. It’s for the investigating officer to cross-check facts and take the case forward accordingly,” the officer said.
