A disturbing incident of sexual harassment and assault occurred near Bengaluru on Sunday, captured on CCTV. The footage shows a woman being accosted, sexually harassed, and physically assaulted by a group of men in broad daylight.
The incident took place around 4 PM in Renuka Yellamma Layout, near Mailasandra, approximately 12 km from Bengaluru. According to reports, the woman was on her way to purchase groceries when the group of men blocked her path. The CCTV footage reveals the men following her, attempting to touch her, and verbally harassing her. The situation escalated when one of the men slapped her as she tried to get away. The group reportedly thrashed her as she resisted their advances and attempted to defend herself.
The woman called a friend for help, who arrived and allegedly assaulted one of the men involved in the harassment. Police have registered complaints from both sides. The friend, identified as a gym trainer, has been arrested, while authorities are still searching for the man accused of initiating the harassment.
Speaking to the media, the woman stated that the men appeared to be intoxicated and attempted to sexually harass her. She also mentioned that members of the public came to her aid, but the assaulters also physically attacked those who intervened. The woman has filed a complaint with the Bannerghatta Police, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered. The police are investigating the case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including BNS 74, which addresses assault or criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty.
This recent incident echoes a similar case from April when CCTV footage captured a man sexually harassing a woman in the BTM Layout area of Bengaluru. In that instance, the man fled the scene immediately after the assault. Police registered a suo motu case and are working to identify the victim and file a formal complaint.
These incidents have sparked public outrage and raised concerns about the safety of women in Bengaluru. Social media users are questioning the effectiveness of safety measures and demanding stricter law enforcement to prevent such crimes. Authorities are under pressure to apprehend the culprits in the recent case and ensure justice for the victim. The investigation is ongoing, and police are exploring all possible leads to bring the perpetrators to justice. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges women face in public spaces and the urgent need for increased vigilance and preventative measures to ensure their safety and security.
