Bantwal: A 47-year-old man has been taken into custody after he was allegedly found following and keeping watch on a 16-year-old girl who was travelling by bus within the Bantwal Town police station limits.
The case was registered at the Bantwal Town police station based on a complaint lodged by the girl’s mother. Police have identified the accused as Jayanth, a resident of Sarpady in Bantwal.
According to the complaint, the girl had allegedly been followed by an unidentified middle-aged man while travelling by bus for several days. The matter came to light after the girl noticed the same man watching her at Kalladka bus stand on the evening of August 19.
Girl alerts mother
The girl reportedly became frightened after noticing the man at the bus stand. She then went to the place where her mother was working and informed her about what had happened.
After hearing her daughter’s account, the woman went to the Kalladka bus stand along with the owner of her workplace.
When they reached the bus stand, they allegedly found the same man present at the location.
The man was questioned about his presence there and reportedly identified himself as Jayanth before leaving the place.
The incident was subsequently brought to the attention of the Bantwal Town police.
Case registered under BNS and POCSO
Based on the complaint, Bantwal Town police registered a case under Crime No. 116/2026.
The case has been registered under Section 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The provisions invoked in the case relate to alleged stalking and sexual harassment of a child.
Police initiated an investigation after registering the case and proceeded to identify and trace the person named in the complaint.
Accused taken into custody
The accused was identified as Jayanth, a 47-year-old resident of Sarpady in Bantwal.
Police took him into custody and questioned him in connection with the allegations. Following the questioning, he was produced before the competent court.
The investigation is continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged incidents and to gather further information relevant to the case.
The complaint states that the girl had allegedly noticed the man following her while travelling by bus over a period of several days. Police are examining the allegations and other circumstances as part of the investigation.
Investigation underway
The case has brought attention to concerns surrounding the safety of minors travelling alone on public transport.
The girl’s decision to inform her mother after becoming frightened by the man’s presence enabled the family to approach the authorities and report the matter.
Police have registered the case under the relevant provisions and are continuing their investigation following the accused’s production before the court.
As the matter involves a minor, further details concerning the girl and other identifying information have not been disclosed.
The investigation will determine the circumstances of the alleged following and surveillance and establish the facts of the case.