Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, May 12:In a shocking incident from Idkidu village in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, a panchayat vice-president allegedly flashed before a woman in public during a dispute, triggering outrage.

The accused, identified as Padmanabha Sapalya, has since been expelled from the BJP following the emergence of a viral video. According to police and local reports, the incident stemmed from a road access dispute.

The woman confronted the panchayat vice-president over the installation of a gate that blocked her house access. While she was recording the situation on video, Padmanabha allegedly pulled down his shorts and indecently exposed himself, the woman stated in her police complaint.

The woman further explained that she was working in her plantation nearby when she heard the sound of a gate being fixed across the access road to her home. On approaching the scene and recording the incident, Padmanabha resorted to obscene behaviour, exposing himself deliberately and behaving in a threatening and vulgar manner.

The woman has filed a formal complaint with the Vittal police station, demanding legal action against the accused.

Following the public outrage and damage to the party’s image, BJP Puttur Rural Mandal president Dayananda Shetty Ujremaru issued a statement confirming Padmanabha Sapalya’s expulsion from the party's primary membership. Shetty also said the party has directed him to resign from his post as panchayat vice-president.

“This act is condemnable and an insult to the dignity of women. The BJP does not tolerate such misconduct under any circumstances,” Shetty said.

The video of the incident has since circulated widely on social media, sparking widespread criticism and demands for stricter punishment.