Kolkata: A 34-year-old woman fought off a toto driver who allegedly tried to molest her, photographed him on her cellphone and escaped before alerting police, leading to the accused’s arrest within an hour on Wednesday evening.The incident occurred near the airport when the woman was returning home after lodging a cyber fraud complaint at Airport PS. As heavy rain lashed the area, she boarded a toto from Airport Hotel crossing.Police said the driver, Siddik Molla (27), deviated from the usual route to Kaikhali and entered a deserted stretch inside the Air India quarters, claiming he was avoiding traffic congestion and potholes caused by the rain.“The woman grew suspicious as the driver ventured deeper into an abandoned section of the quarters. When he stopped the toto at a desolate spot, she tried to get off. The man then allegedly pounced on her and tried to molest her. However, the woman fought back, punching and kicking him before taking his photograph on her cellphone and fleeing the spot in the rain while he lay on the ground,” said a senior officer of Bidhannagar City Police.The woman sought help from traffic police personnel, who escorted her back to Airport PS. “The moment she narrated her ordeal, we obtained the photograph from her and immediately launched a search. We checked CCTV footage and visited several toto stands. Using the photograph, we identified the man and traced his address,” the officer said.Molla was arrested outside his uncle’s house near Tata Gate. He has been booked under BNS sections, including molestation, sexual assault, attempt to rape, wrongful restraint and voluntarily causing hurt.
