New Delhi: A young woman posted a video of a man punching her in broad daylight in Paris, in a crowded area outside a cafe, after she angrily responded to his sexual comments.

The public prosecutors have opened an inquiry in the case after she posted the video online.

Marie Laguerre, a 22-year-old student, posted the video on Facebook.

She wrote that while she was returning home a man passed lewd comments on her. She said it was not the first time she has faced such sexual harassment. Since she was tired she just responded with a shut-up and kept walking in opposite direction. The man too walked away.

In the video, it could be seen that the man grabbed an ashtray and hurled it at her.  Seconds later he came back and smashed the girls' face.

The victim filed a complaint with police and later posted the video, writing that "we must no longer keep quiet".

The matter came in highlights and caught the attention of France’s Equality minister who urged the witnesses to help police to identify the culprit.