Bengaluru: A 34-year-old woman in Bengaluru endured a harrowing 40 seconds of assault while out for a morning walk last Friday. The incident occurred near Kothanur in south Bengaluru as she was waiting for a neighbor to join her.
According to reports, a man approached her, allegedly molested her by hugging her from behind, and chased her when she tried to escape. He continued to harass her until she fell to the ground. The accused, identified as 25-year-old cab driver Suresh, was arrested on Monday. During interrogation, Suresh claimed he “wanted to try his luck” and hoped the woman would “cooperate” with him.
The assault came to light when CCTV footage of the incident drew the attention of Konanakunte Police on Sunday morning. The police quickly traced the woman, who then filed a complaint. Suresh was arrested by the afternoon, following a thorough investigation. He reportedly confessed to the crime, stating he had just dropped off some corporate employees and noticed the woman standing alone.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Lokesh Bharamappa Jagalasar confirmed that further investigations are underway to determine if Suresh has a history of similar offenses.
Police Misconduct and Suspension
In related news, three police officers, including Assistant Sub-Inspector Umesh and two constables, have been suspended for mishandling the initial report. The officers failed to properly encourage the woman to file a complaint and neglected to inform their superiors about the incident.
The assault, which occurred around 5 a.m. in Krishnanagar, began when Suresh, dressed in a white shirt and trousers, approached the woman while she was tying her hair. Despite her attempts to ignore him, he hugged her from behind and molested her. After a struggle, she managed to escape, but Suresh continued to pursue her until she fell and he fled the scene.
After the woman did not initially approach the police, her relatives alerted authorities, and the incident was shared on social media. The police were able to track her down and convince her to file a formal complaint, which was registered on Sunday night. Following an analysis of CCTV footage from a 10-km radius, Suresh was apprehended near his home.
Charges have been filed against Suresh under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita-2023, including assault, sexual harassment, stalking, and wrongful restraint.