A 19-year-old radiology student from Bengaluru has approached the police seeking protection from a former acquaintance who has allegedly been stalking and harassing her for weeks, culminating in an acid attack threat.
The accused, Raju, had befriended the student — Priya (name changed) — on Instagram in 2019, when their families briefly lived in the same neighborhood in west Bengaluru. The two chatted online and met a few times, but when Priya’s family became aware, they advised her to cut ties and focus on her studies. She complied, and communication ended.
Years passed without contact until March 2025, when Raju allegedly confronted Priya near a bus stop and handed her a love letter, insisting she accept his proposal. After she rejected him and raised her voice, he followed her onto a bus, harassing her until co-passengers intervened.
Since then, Raju has allegedly stalked her near her college, contacted her friends on social media to track her whereabouts, and repeatedly pressured her to respond to him. On June 16, the situation escalated when he allegedly threatened to throw acid on her face and warned her friends not to speak to her.
Fearing for her safety, Priya filed a complaint at Byadarahalli police station. Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 78 (stalking), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace). An investigation is underway, and Priya has requested personal protection.
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