Bengaluru: Woman Molested In Broad Daylight In Anekal; CCTV Footage Leads To Arrests, Probe Underway

A young woman was molested and assaulted by a group of men in broad daylight while she was out shopping for groceries in Bengaluru.

The incident took place around 4 pm yesterday in the southern part of the city, near Renuka Yellamma Layout in Mailasandra, Anekal taluk, approximately 30-40 km from Bengaluru's central business district.

Photo Credit: PTI

According to the survivor, she had stepped out to purchase groceries when she noticed a group of 4-5 intoxicated men arguing in the street, in an area falling under the Bannerghatta Police Station's jurisdiction.

As she walked past, the men allegedly began making vulgar comments, attempted to touch her, and surrounded her.

"They were drunk, had smoked ganja, and came to harm me," she said.

"When I resisted, they hit me. I hit one of them back with my leg in defence."

She added that some nearby residents intervened, but the group attacked them as well.

"They live behind my house. I don't know them, I've only been living here for a week," she explained.

With the assistance of local residents, she managed to escape. However, the group reportedly returned later and created further chaos in the area, allegedly assaulting the same locals who had earlier come to her aid.

She said the assailants later followed her to her doorstep and continued to issue threats.

Although she filed a police complaint the same night, she claimed no arrests had been made at the time. "The boy who hit me is in hospital now. He injured himself against the gate and has filed a case against us," she said.

The assault and harassment were captured on CCTV footage. The Bannerghatta Police are currently investigating the matter.

Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police, CK Baba, confirmed that a case has been registered against the accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Following the incident, the woman informed her gym trainer, who later confronted and allegedly assaulted one of the accused.

That individual sustained injuries and was admitted to hospital. He subsequently filed a counter-complaint.

CK Baba confirmed that both FIRs - one filed by the survivor for molestation and the other by the accused for assault - are being examined.

"The primary accused has been arrested. Two to three others seen in the CCTV footage are yet to be apprehended but will be picked up shortly," the SP said.

In a similar case, a man was caught on CCTV molesting a woman at approximately 1:55 am on 3 April in Bengaluru's BTM Layout.

The video, which quickly went viral on social media, showed the accused approaching two women from behind, groping one of them, and then fleeing the scene.

An FIR under Section 354B (assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe a woman) was registered at the Suddaguntepalya Police Station after a local resident filed a complaint.