Where will the common woman go, asks T.N. Cong. MP after her chain gets snatched in Chanakyapuri

R. Sudha, a Congress MP from Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, sustained minor injuries on Monday after her gold chain was snatched by an unidentified person in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri while she was out on a morning walk, the police said.

Following the incident, Ms. Sudha, who is in the Capital to attend Parliament’s Monsoon Session, took on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for not being able to ensure the safety of women in the city.

“If a woman CM cannot ensure women’s safety, then where will the common woman go?” said the Tamil Nadu MP.

The police have formed multiple teams to nab the accused and are examining CCTV footage to identify the suspect, said a senior police officer.

“The incident happened near the Embassy of Poland. The bike-borne suspect slowed down near the MP while she was walking, snatched the chain and fled from the spot,” he said.

The officer added that they had advised the MP to register a formal complaint. “She eventually addressed the complaint to Union Home Minister Amit Shah,” he said.

The police have increased security around Tamil Nadu Bhavan, located in Chanakyapuri, and nearby stretches.

‘No accountability’

The incident drew severe criticism from several Opposition MPs.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “An MP’s chain is snatched in broad daylight in a highly secured area like Chanakyapuri. Where is the Centre’s accountability? What happened to the double-engine government promise?”

Ms. Sudha’s fellow Congress MP, Pramod Tiwari, termed the incident a “reflection of the deteriorating law and order” in the country under the BJP’s rule. “It seems there is no law and order under the [Narendra] Modi government. This happened in Chanakyapuri, which is considered the most secure area. What does that say about the safety of ordinary citizens?” he said, adding that States ruled by the BJP, such as Bihar, are also witnessing daily violence.

Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Atishi said the incident raises serious concerns about the safety of common citizens in the Capital.

“Such an incident with an MP in a VIP area that falls under the NDMC’s jurisdiction highlights the need for stronger coordination among law enforcement and civic bodies to ensure public safety,” she said.

(With inputs from PTI)