Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, April 18: In a troubling series of incidents, the Bengaluru police have been actively responding to cases of harassment and assault targeting women in the city.

On Friday, authorities apprehended an auto driver identified as Mani within the Pulakeshinagar jurisdiction. He stands accused of accosting a woman in a public space, persistently requesting her contact information and insisting on taking a selfie with her, even allegedly attempting to do so against her will.

Representational image

The victim, who stated she was with a male friend and did not know the accused, has filed a formal complaint, prompting a police investigation.

In a separate incident, Bengaluru police also announced the arrest of a young man who reportedly exposed himself to a homemaker. Upon being confronted, the accused allegedly assaulted seven individuals, including the woman's husband.
These incidents follow other recent cases that have sparked public concern.

Just ten days prior, Karnataka Police successfully tracked down and arrested 26-year-old Santosh Daniel in Kerala. This arrest was in connection with a viral video depicting a man accosting two young women in a residential area, pushing one aside to sexually harass the other before fleeing. The distressing 17-second clip captured the women's subsequent shock and hurried departure.

Furthermore, on April 13, the Karnataka state police reported the fatal shooting of Ritesh Kumar, a 35-year-old from Patna, Bihar. Kumar was the accused in the kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of a young girl in Hubballi.

Adding to the grim narrative, a horrifying incident came to light earlier on Sunday in Hubballi's Ashokanagar police station limits. A youth allegedly attempted to sexually assault a five-year-old girl. When she resisted, the accused reportedly strangled her to death before managing to escape.

Police are actively investigating this deeply disturbing crime.

These recent events underscore the ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety and security of women and children in Karnataka, prompting increased scrutiny and calls for stringent action against perpetrators.