Karnataka Home Minister Comments on Recent Molestation Cases in Bengaluru
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Synopsis
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara addressed the surge in sexual harassment incidents in Bengaluru, asserting the need for increased police vigilance and effective patrolling. His comments follow a viral video of an assault on two women, raising urgent concerns regarding women's safety in the city.
Key Takeaways
- Increase in nighttime sexual assaults reported in Bengaluru.
- Minister emphasizes police vigilance and effective patrolling.
- Viral video raises concerns over women's safety.
- Local residents demand enhanced police presence.
- Separate incidents highlight the urgent need for action.
Bengaluru, April 7 (NationPress) In response to the increasing reports of sexual assaults and harassment during nighttime in Bengaluru, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara remarked on Monday that "such incidents occur occasionally in large cities".
Addressing a media inquiry regarding a recent sexual harassment case that surfaced on Sunday, Parameshwara stated, “I have advised the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to maintain vigilance daily. Police patrolling should be conducted effectively and systematically across all areas of Bengaluru city.”
He further emphasized, “When such incidents are reported, they naturally attract public attention. We will not overlook them -- the police department is consistently working.”
The Minister also added, “Police officers are on duty around the clock, facing harsh weather conditions. This commitment is what keeps Bengaluru relatively peaceful.”
“While such incidents may happen sporadically in a city of this size, we will take necessary legal action in every case,” he affirmed.
“I have specifically instructed that the beat system be managed proficiently. I reiterated this point with the Police Commissioner this morning,” he stated.
A video depicting two young women being targeted by a man in the early hours of a residential area went viral on social media, raising significant concerns over women's safety in Bengaluru.
The disturbing 17-second video shows two women walking along a deserted street, surrounded by houses. A tall, muscular man approaches from behind, pushes one of the women aside, sexually harasses the other, and flees. The video captures the visibly distressed women pausing momentarily to regain their composure before leaving the area quickly.
This incident took place around 2 a.m. on April 4, in the jurisdiction of the Sadduguntepalya police station. The video gained traction on social media on Sunday. Police have filed an FIR based on a complaint from a local resident and have initiated a search for the perpetrator, collecting further evidence.
Local residents expressed shock over the incident, noting that such occurrences were uncommon in their neighborhood. They remarked that with the increase in PG accommodations, the police need to enhance nighttime patrolling to ensure safety.
In another alarming incident, a young woman was ambushed and sexually harassed under the Banasawadi police station jurisdiction in Bengaluru. This incident occurred on Hennur Main Road, near the Indian Petrol Bunk in Banasawadi, and came to light on Saturday (April 5).
The police reported that the victim was riding her scooter from her friend’s house to her home at approximately 4:30 a.m. Two assailants took advantage of the deserted area, pursued her, and blocked her path.
They acted inappropriately, sexually harassing her by touching her inappropriately. When she screamed for help, passers-by intervened. However, the assailants threatened them with a knife and managed to escape.
Earlier, on April 3, a young migrant woman from Bihar was kidnapped and raped while searching for food with her brother near a railway station in Bengaluru, reported from the Mahadevapura police station.
On November 11, 2024, a young woman walking in the dark was inappropriately touched by a man on a motorcycle in Bengaluru’s Ramamurthy Nagar. This act, captured on CCTV, went viral. The biker, identified as Arun, behaved obscenely and was arrested two hours after the woman filed a complaint at the Ramamurthy Nagar police station.
