Karnataka: Why Was a Police Constable Arrested for Exploiting a Woman Advocate?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- A police constable in Bengaluru has been arrested for sexually exploiting a female advocate.
- The accused is charged with rape and violating protective laws for marginalized communities.
- The victim was manipulated into a relationship under false promises of marriage.
- The case raises concerns regarding abuse of power within law enforcement.
- Ongoing investigations aim to address the systemic issues within the police force.
Bengaluru, Sep 6 (NationPress) A police constable in Bengaluru has been apprehended on allegations of sexually exploiting a female advocate after he promised to marry her, an official reported on Saturday. The suspect is known as Siddu, also referred to as Sidde Gowda Halagali, who serves in the Special Action Force (SAF).
The Basaveshwaranagar police have filed charges against him for rape and breaching the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
As stated in the First Information Report (FIR), the victim, hailing from a Scheduled Caste community, met the accused at a wedding in Hubballi. After exchanging contact information, they began regular communication, and the victim, a practicing lawyer in Bengaluru, developed a closer relationship with the accused, who eventually proposed to her.
Initially, she hesitated, citing their differing caste backgrounds and potential familial disapproval. Nonetheless, the accused assured her that he would persuade his family and marry her regardless of the circumstances.
He later invited the victim to a hotel room in Bengaluru, professing his love for her. According to the FIR, despite her objections, he raped her. Following the incident, while she was in tears in the bathroom, he reassured her with another promise of marriage and continued to maintain contact.
Subsequently, the accused began to extract money from her and repeatedly exploited her. When she pressed for marriage, he allegedly insulted her, claiming he would never marry her due to her being from a 'lower caste'.
He also issued threats, using his police position to intimidate her, insisting he would ensure she faced consequences if she continued to pursue marriage. Additionally, the victim reported instances of physical abuse, including being slapped.
The police have launched a thorough investigation into the incident.
Previously, on February 25, another constable in Bengaluru was arrested for raping a minor girl who had gone to report a sexual assault. The incident occurred within the Bommanahalli police jurisdiction. The 17-year-old victim was enticed by her neighbor into a relationship and was allegedly assaulted multiple times. She had approached the police to file a report when she was lured by the officer, taken to a hotel, forced to consume alcohol, and subsequently assaulted.
On January 3, a 58-year-old Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was detained and suspended after a video surfaced, allegedly showing him sexually harassing a woman who approached him with a complaint.