Hubballi (Karnataka), Jan 7 (NationPress) The Karnataka Police on Wednesday dismissed a female BJP worker's allegations of being assaulted and stripped by officers during a conflict over the voter revision activity in Hubballi.

In response to the claims of assault and stripping involving both male and female police personnel, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar stated that she “had stripped herself”.

Meanwhile, the State Women’s Commission remarked that the responsibilities of both the alleged victim and the police should be scrutinized before any conclusions are drawn.

During a visit to the Keshvapur police station in Hubballi, Police Commissioner Shashikumar revealed, “She assaulted four of our female staff and bit one officer on her abdomen. I am unaware of who recorded the video. We will examine all elements in a thorough investigation.”

He noted that three cases had been filed against the BJP woman worker following complaints from local residents. “The police went to detain her on January 5 based on these complaints. After her arrest, while being transported in the police vehicle, she stripped. She also assaulted four officers. Currently, she is in judicial custody,” he added.

The complaints relate to the voter revision process, the Commissioner said.

“While being taken into custody, she fiercely resisted and attacked the police officers. She also pushed male officers. After being placed in the police vehicle, she stripped herself. Subsequently, the police provided her with clothes through local residents and escorted her to the station,” he explained.

In reaction to the incident, State Women’s Commission chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary commented, “There is an ongoing complaint against the woman, and the police sought to arrest her. She faces multiple charges. When she was taken into the police vehicle, she stripped herself. Her mother and brother accompanied her, and her brother recorded the video. It is evident that only female police officers were present in the video.”

She further stated, “The police arranged clothing for her, and she was later placed in judicial custody. I have communicated with the Hubballi Deputy Commissioner of Police. We cannot make comments without verifying the facts. Should the police be found at fault, we will recommend action. According to the police, the woman stripped herself, and the video was subsequently circulated.”

“I will write to the Superintendent of Police requesting a detailed report on this grave incident,” she added.

She emphasized that making statements without understanding the roles of the police or the victim would be inappropriate. “I will demand a thorough investigation, and those who are guilty must face consequences. The police have questioned the absence of video evidence showing them stripping her. They have also asserted that multiple cases are against her. The police claim that the woman loosened her clothing before getting into the police vehicle and then stripped inside the vehicle,” she explained.

It is essential to recall that an alleged assault and stripping of a BJP woman worker by police occurred in Hubballi city in Karnataka, reportedly connected to a dispute arising from a voter revision exercise. A video of the incident emerged on Wednesday, sparking shock and serious concern.

The footage allegedly depicts male police personnel assaulting the woman and using offensive language.

The incident transpired within the jurisdiction of the Keshvapur police station in Hubballi. Sources indicate that BJP worker Sujatha Handi, also known as Vijayalaxmi Handi, was allegedly mistreated following a complaint made against her by Hubballi-Dharwad Congress corporator Suvarna Kallakuntla.

It is alleged that Sujatha Handi was targeted after performing voter mapping as part of the voter list revision. Reportedly incensed by this, the Congress corporator allegedly lodged a complaint against her at the Keshvapur police station.

A dispute reportedly erupted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list when Sujatha Handi accompanied election officials during the process. Congress corporators and their supporters allegedly created a disturbance by referencing an old case during the revision exercise.

Suvarna Kallakuntla, who filed the complaint against Sujatha Handi, alleged that she had brought SIR-BLO officials and had voters’ names removed. Previous clashes had reportedly occurred between BJP and Congress workers over the same allegation.

It has now been alleged that, based on this issue, a complaint was filed against Sujatha Handi, prompting police personnel to proceed with her arrest. During this process, the police reportedly subjected her to brutality. In the video, a male police officer is seen holding the shoulder of the BJP woman worker while she is reportedly unclothed.