Bengaluru: The Chikkajala police on Monday taken four persons into custody for allegedly attempting to molest a college girl on Sunday night. The police have identified the arrested persons as Manunath, Ravi, Krishna and Praveen. The police are expected to produce in the court.
Based on the written complaint of the victim, the police have registered a case under Section 354, 323, 504 and 506 of Indian Penal Code. According to the complaint, the college girl was returning home along with her friend on a two-wheeler. The main accused was coming on a bike from the opposite side. His vehicle was about to hit the victim’s vehicle. When the victim questioned him why he was coming in a wrong way, the accused got down from his vehicle and snatched her vehicle’s key and physically abused her.
According to her, the locals in the vicinity, around 40 to 45 people, gathered on the spot and also attempted to harass her instead of coming to her rescue. Speaking to a private TV channel, the victim recalled the incident stating that she could not understand what the accused was trying to say. “I could not understand his words since I do not know Kannada. I asked him to speak in either Hindi or English but he told me to get lost if you don’t know to speak Kannada. The accused tried to touch my back and other parts of the body,’’ the victim said.
Reacting on the unfortunate incident, Brinda Adige, a women’s rights activist, said she could not blame just police and people for such incident. “I blame the government, the prosecutors, judiciary and politicians. The men, who indulge in such insane activities, are not afraid of any action since the government and others concerned have failed to enact a law for stringent punishment of such acts. Politicians should be responsible for the safety and security of women. We are not asking any favour from politicians but it is our right to seek safety,’’ Brinda Adige.
Meanwhile, Nagalakshmi Bai, Chairperson, Karnataka State Commission for women, had described the incident as a heinous crime. “Recurring of this type of incidents is not good for a healthy society. I will take up a suo motu case and make sure the culprits are put behind bars. We have already written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to treat such heinous and shameful acts as non-bailable offences,’’ Nagalakshmi Bai said.
