Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, April 17: Alarming details have emerged in the recent molestation case in Bengaluru, where the accused, Santosh Daniel, was arrested ten days after the incident with assistance from his girlfriend, a serving home guard.
Daniel was apprehended in Kerala by the Karnataka state police, who had launched an extensive manhunt following viral CCTV footage of the crime.
According to police sources, Daniel had been in a live-in relationship with the female home guard for the past three years. Despite being married and having a child, the home guard reportedly left her family and aided Daniel in evading arrest after the crime.
The incident, which took place around 2 am on April 4 in the jurisdiction of the Sadduguntepalya Police Station, involved the sexual harassment of two young women walking down a deserted residential street. CCTV footage captured the accused approaching the women from behind, shoving one aside and molesting the other before fleeing the scene.
The 17-second clip, which surfaced on social media on 6 April, sparked widespread outrage and pressure on the police to apprehend the perpetrator swiftly.
Following the release of the footage, the police launched an intensive investigation. The accused had cleverly evaded capture by moving through multiple police jurisdiction limits in Bengaluru, including Suddguntepalya, Tilaknagar, and MICO Layout, while using a Dio scooter. He eventually fled to Kerala with his girlfriend.
In a bid to avoid detection, Daniel’s home guard girlfriend devised a detailed escape plan. She allegedly instructed him to refrain from using his mobile phone and suggested concealing the number plate of the scooter. The couple initially escaped to Hosur in Tamil Nadu, where they abandoned the scooter. They then travelled to Salem, and eventually crossed into Kerala.
Despite these attempts to mislead authorities, investigators identified Daniel by analysing over 1,600 CCTV clips and focusing on traffic violation records. A breakthrough came when police traced the number plate of the scooter seen at the crime scene. With assistance from the transport department, police narrowed down the registered Dio scooters matching the description and tracked Daniel’s residence in Galburga Colony, Jayanagar. By then, however, the accused was already on the run.
Daniel was ultimately located at a resort in Kerala, where he was found enjoying himself in the company of the home guard. He was arrested on April 14 by the Karnataka state police. He is currently in custody and being interrogated. Official statements regarding the female home guard are yet to be released, though internal sources suggest she may face serious charges for aiding and abetting a fugitive.
The case originated from a complaint filed by local resident Lokesh Gowda, and two special investigation teams were formed to pursue leads across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
This incident has raised concerns about internal lapses within the police force, especially regarding the involvement of a home guard in shielding a person accused of sexual assault. Authorities are expected to take strict action and possibly reassess internal security protocols.
The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected in the coming days.