Bengaluru: Police on Wednesday arrested a man for allegedly assaulting a 21-year-old woman in a public place after she refused to enter into a romantic relationship with him, an incident that was captured on CCTV and has since sparked outrage.

Incident caught on camera

The assault took place on December 22 and was recorded by a nearby CCTV camera. According to police and visuals accessed by investigators, the woman was standing beside a scooter, believed to be an app-based ride she had booked, when the accused arrived at the spot in a car at around 3.20 pm.

The accused has been identified as Naveen Kumar. The footage reportedly shows him confronting the woman, repeatedly hitting her on the head and back, dragging her along the road and attempting to tear her clothes after she resisted. Despite the incident occurring in a public area with a few people present nearby, no immediate intervention was seen in the footage.

Relationship began on social media

Police said the woman and the accused had become acquainted earlier this year through the social media platform Instagram. They had been in regular contact through phone calls and messages, during which Naveen allegedly began pressuring the woman to enter into a romantic relationship.

As per details mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR), the woman consistently rejected his advances. Investigators said the accused did not accept her refusal and continued to pursue her, eventually confronting her in person.

Assault outside paying guest accommodation

On the day of the incident, Naveen reportedly drove to the woman’s paying guest accommodation. When he spotted her standing outside, he confronted her and allegedly launched a violent attack in full public view.

Police officials said the assault appeared to be unprovoked and stemmed from anger over the woman’s refusal to reciprocate his feelings. The victim suffered injuries to her head and body and was later provided medical assistance. Her condition was stated to be stable.

FIR and legal action

Based on the woman’s complaint, the Jnanabharathi Police Station registered a case on the same day under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The sections invoked include Sections 74, 75, 76, 78, 79 and 351(2), which deal with assault, use of criminal force, harassment and acts intended to outrage the modesty of a woman.

A senior police officer said the sections were applied after reviewing CCTV footage, medical reports and the victim’s statement. “The evidence clearly indicated deliberate assault and harassment following rejection,” the officer said.

Swift arrest within 24 hours

Police said the accused was traced and arrested within 24 hours of the incident. Officials credited prompt action, CCTV footage and technical analysis for the quick arrest.

“The case was taken seriously from the beginning. The accused was identified swiftly and apprehended before he could abscond,” a police official involved in the investigation said.

The accused is currently in police custody, and further investigation is underway to determine whether he had previously harassed the woman or anyone else.

Public reaction and concern

The incident has once again raised serious concerns about women’s safety in public spaces and the issue of harassment stemming from social media interactions. Many have questioned the lack of intervention by bystanders visible in the CCTV footage, despite the assault taking place in broad daylight.

Women’s rights activists have stressed the need for stronger awareness campaigns and immediate intervention when such incidents occur. “Rejection should never lead to violence. This case highlights the urgent need for education on consent and respect,” said a social activist familiar with similar cases.

Police appeal

Police have urged citizens to come forward and intervene safely or alert authorities when witnessing acts of violence. They have also advised women to report harassment at the earliest so preventive action can be taken.

Conclusion

The arrest of the accused within a day has been seen as a positive step, but the incident underscores the persistent threat faced by women when advances turn into obsession and violence. Authorities say strict legal action will be pursued to ensure justice for the victim and to send a strong message against harassment and assault.