Sexual Harassment in Lift by Cop? How Safe Are We?

Trust in law enforcement rests on the belief that those in uniform protect you and not harm you. When that trust breaks inside a residential lift, it forces you to question how safe young women truly are in spaces they assume are secure and familiar.

A 19-year-old BBA student in Vejalpur, Ahmedabad, has alleged that inspector Barkat Chavda from the Gandhinagar control room sexually harassed her inside a lift while she was visiting her maternal uncle’s home. She later realised his identity, which added to her fear and shock.

The FIR states that he placed his hand on her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek without consent. She remained frozen until other residents stepped in on the sixth floor and he walked out. Already dealing with depression, she collapsed after telling a relative and then reached a women’s helpline to file a complaint.

The fact that the accused is a serving police inspector makes the incident even more disturbing. It exposes a power imbalance where a young woman must depend on the very system that employs the man she has accused. Police say CCTV footage has been secured and an FIR registered, with a promise of a fair investigation.

Beyond the legal process, the case shows why accountability and visible action matter. It also highlights why support systems and helplines remain essential for survivors who decide to speak up despite fear and pressure.