An ISKCON devotee from an East Asian country staying in Mayapur for the past two months on a tourist visa was allegedly beaten up and molested by an e-rickshaw driver after he took away her laptop she wanted to sell.

The woman has filed a complaint of sexual harassment, attempt to murder and criminal breach of trust against Babu Mandal, 28, whose e-rickshaw (toto) she often hired during her stay in the temple town.

Babu has been absconding with the laptop since the incident on Wednesday at the guesthouse where she had been staying.

“I used to see her move around on Babu’s toto. It appears she had made long-term travel arrangements with him shortly after arriving here,” said a neighbour.

According to the victim’s complaint, she had approached Babu for a contact who could help her sell the laptop.

“He said he would arrange it and took the laptop away on Wednesday morning. A few hours later, I called him up asking for the money. That’s when he came to my quarters and pinned me down to the floor. He thrashed me relentlessly, leaving me in a state of trauma,” she said in the complaint lodged with the help of some ISKCON devotees.

The incident has sparked fear in the town that sees a considerable flow of foreign tourists and devotees round the year, sources said.

Other toto operators alleged he had in the past misbehaved with or duped tourists, especially those from foreign countries. Babu is a resident of Mayapur.

“He has a bad reputation. He has harassed foreign tourists, particularly ISKCON devotees, in the past. We are ashamed because his behaviour affects us all,” said a toto operator.

According to the operator, Babu had been warned several times to mend his ways as his behaviour caused a lack of faith in the toto drivers in general.

“We had warned him on many occasions in the past. This is a professional problem for toto operators in a major tourist hub like Mayapur. We want stern action against him,” the operator said.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that Babu’s intention was to harm her. “It’s an unexpected thing in a place like Mayapur,” said the victim, adding she had come to learn more about Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

An officer of Nabadwip police station said a case had been started against Babu.

“We are examining whether he has any past record of criminal activities. We have quizzed his family members and hope to arrest him soon,” said a police officer.