In Bengaluru, a 34-year-old woman faced a harrowing experience last Friday while on her morning walk near Kothanur in south Bengaluru. The incident, which lasted approximately 40 seconds, involved a 25-year-old cab driver named Suresh, who has since been arrested.
The woman was standing on the road, waiting for a neighbor, when Suresh allegedly approached her and molested her by hugging her from behind. After she managed to break free, Suresh chased her, grabbed her again, and molested her until she fell to the ground.
The Konanakunte Police discovered the incident through CCTV footage and acted swiftly. The footage, which was brought to their attention on Sunday morning, helped them identify and trace the victim, who subsequently filed a complaint. By Monday afternoon, the police had arrested Suresh, a resident of Kothanur Dinne and a cab driver by profession.
During interrogation, Suresh reportedly confessed to the crime, explaining that he had “just dropped off some corporate employees” and decided to “try his luck” when he saw the woman alone. He expressed his belief that the woman might “cooperate” if he approached her physically.
DCP (South) Lokesh Bharamappa Jagalasar confirmed the arrest and noted that Suresh’s background is being reviewed to determine if he has a history of similar incidents or other criminal activities.
The case has also led to disciplinary actions within the police department. Three officers, including Assistant Sub-Inspector Umesh and two constables, have been suspended for mishandling the initial reporting of the incident. They were found to have failed to properly persuade the woman to file a complaint and did not inform their seniors about the matter.
According to police sources, the woman initially did not approach the police after the incident. Instead, a relative alerted the authorities that night. When approached by Umesh and his team, she was reluctant to file a complaint. Her friends and family then obtained and shared the CCTV footage on social media, which eventually led to a formal complaint being filed.
The investigation revealed that Suresh harassed the woman for about 40 seconds. Following her escape, she reported the incident after her relatives and friends pressed her to do so. The police reviewed CCTV footage from a 10-kilometre radius of the crime scene, leading to Suresh’s arrest near his residence.
A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita-2023, including Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), 78 (stalking), 79 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 126 (wrongful restraint).
The incident has highlighted serious issues of public safety and police conduct, prompting further scrutiny and action from local authorities.