In comments that might ignite a controversy, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated on Monday that events similar to the one where a woman was assaulted on the street are likely to occur in a big city such as Bengaluru. However, he underscored that legal action would be taken against the offender, and he instructed the police to enhance beat patrolling.
“Events like these occur here and there in a big city such as this. Any legal measures that need to be pursued will be conducted in compliance with the law. I have additionally directed our commissioner to enhance beat patrolling,” stated G Parameshwara.
CCTV footage of man molesting woman in Bengaluru went viral
Last week, a viral CCTV footage surfaced on social media depicting a man assaulting a woman on a street in Bharati Layout, Suddaguntepalya, before escaping. The occurrence took place in the early morning of April 3.
The clip depicts a man approaching two women strolling in a narrow lane before he pushes one of them against a wall. The man then gropes her and inappropriately touches her before fleeing. The footage reveals that the two women, clearly shocked by the event, leave the vicinity.
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Bengaluru police have initiated a suo motu case following the incident that caused public uproar, despite the victim not having lodged a complaint yet.
The case has been filed under Section 354B (assault or application of criminal force aimed at disrobing a woman).
Bengaluru has seen increase in crime against women recently
In August last year, a similar incident was caught on camera. A man groped a woman in the Konanakunte area of Bengaluru while she was on her morning walk. The suspect, a taxi driver, was apprehended two days following the occurrence.
As per government data released last year, Bengaluru experienced a notable rise in crimes against women in 2023, with law enforcement recording 3,260 incidents, of which 1,135 were related to molestation.
