In a shocking incident, two NRI women were molested by a mob of about 70 men during New Year revelries near Juhu beach sparking an outrage but Police Commissioner D N Jadhav brazenly dismissed it as minor accusing the media of blowing it out of proportion.

In a replay of a molestation of a woman by revelers at the Gateway of India exactly a year ago, the women went through the 15-minute ordeal outside a five-star hotel before the police rescued them after being alerted by media photographers at the scene. The photographers captured the incident on the camera.

The incident which has raised questions on whether the country's "safest city" tag holds good for Mumbai took place at around 0145 hrs on Monday when the two women, accompanied by two men, walked towards Juhu beach from the hotel.

The police came under attack for not filing a case the whole of yesterday saying no complaint was registered with them and after some buck passing on jurisdiction issue. Fueling further anger, Jadhav said "Such things can happen anywhere anytime. Here also where I am. I can't keep police behind every man." " Don't make mountain out of molehill," he told newsmen when asked about the incident.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil while disapproving of Jadhav's remarks said the state government will take suo motu action and the case will be taken up in a fast-track court since the victims are from California.

Nearly 36 hours after the incident, the Police registered a case of outraging a modesty of woman.

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