Bengaluru, Jan 8 (NationPress) - In a significant turn of events, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged assault and stripping of a BJP woman party worker in Karnataka's Hubballi. The NCW has requested a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR) from the state's police chief within a span of five days.

The official announcement stated, "The National Commission for Women has observed a disturbing viral video emanating from Hubballi, Karnataka, illustrating a female party worker allegedly being assaulted and having her clothes torn during her arrest by police personnel."

Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar vehemently condemned the incident, asserting that such actions, if verified, represent a serious infringement on a woman’s dignity, personal freedom, and her right to protection against gender-based violence. The NCW has communicated with the DGP Karnataka to ensure a First Information Report (FIR) is filed if it hasn't been already.

Moreover, the NCW has urged the DGP to conduct a thorough, unbiased, and timely investigation, including the scrutiny of video evidence. They have called for stringent departmental and criminal actions against any officials found guilty of misconduct and to provide medical assistance, psychological support, rehabilitation, and compensation to the victim as mandated by law.

In response to the BJP's criticisms regarding the alleged assault and stripping incident, Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that the party should refrain from politicizing the issue and affirmed the government’s support for the Police Department's statement.

He mentioned that the police clarified that the BJP woman worker had stripped herself during her arrest, creating a disturbance.

The alleged incident involving the assault and stripping of the BJP woman worker took place in Hubballi city in Karnataka, reportedly connected to a dispute stemming from a voter revision initiative.

A video purportedly depicting the incident surfaced on Wednesday, prompting widespread shock and concern. The occurrence transpired within the jurisdiction of the Keshvapur police station in Hubballi.

As reported, BJP worker Sujatha Handi, also known as Vijayalaxmi Handi, was allegedly assaulted following a complaint lodged against her by Hubballi-Dharwad Congress corporator Suvarna Kallakuntla.

It is claimed that Sujatha Handi was targeted after she participated in voter mapping as part of the voter list revision process. Allegedly angered by this, the Congress corporator filed a complaint against her at the Keshvapur police station.

The Karnataka Police on Wednesday dismissed the BJP worker's assertions that she was assaulted and stripped by officers during a conflict related to the voter revision exercise in Hubballi.

In reaction to the alleged assault and stripping of the BJP worker by both male and female police officers, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar refuted the claims, stating that she "had stripped herself."

An FIR was lodged against nine individuals at the Keshwapur police station in Hubballi on Thursday.

According to police reports, charges were filed against Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Congress member Suvarna Kallakuntla and seven others, with serious allegations including attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, and rioting.

The FIR was initiated based on a complaint from Mariadas, the brother of the victim, BJP activist Sujatha Handi, concerning an incident that reportedly occurred on January 2 at Chalukya Nagar in Hubballi. The accused have been charged under the pertinent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.