Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Oct 17: The safety of students in Bengaluru has been thrust into the spotlight following the alleged rape of an engineering student on her college campus, within the jurisdiction of the Hanumanthanagar police station.
The shocking incident, which reportedly occurred on October 10 between 1:30 pm and 1:50 pm, only came to public attention on Friday, October 17, after a complaint was filed on October 15. The police have since made a swift arrest, apprehending the accused, 21-year-old Jeevan Gowda. He has been remanded to judicial custody.
Details of the incident
Police investigations reveal that the accused and the victim were acquainted and attended the same college. Gowda, a former classmate, had become a year junior to the victim after failing an exam.
The sequence of events on the day of the assault began when the victim met the accused to retrieve some belongings. He allegedly called her repeatedly and followed her to the seventh floor, where he forcibly attempted to kiss her.
When she resisted and tried to leave via the lift, the accused pursued her to the sixth floor, where he reportedly dragged her into a men's washroom and committed the crime. During the assault, he allegedly snatched her ringing phone. Disturbingly, after the attack, the accused called the victim and offered her "pills."
The victim, who knew the accused, initially went with him to the sixth floor without suspecting any harm. Following the trauma, she first confided in her friends. It was on their advice that she informed her parents, who then lodged a formal complaint.
The Hanumanthanagar police have registered a case under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to rape.
The investigation is ongoing, and police have collected statements as they seek further details.
Political reaction and safety concerns
This incident has ignited public concern regarding student safety. Meanwhile, the state's political arena has reacted strongly.
R Ashoka, the leader of opposition in the Legislative Assembly, has penned an urgent letter to the National Commission for Women (NCW). He is seeking the NCW's intervention to address the "deteriorating law and order situation in Karnataka" and the perceived "rising crimes against women and minors."
Ashoka’s letter claims a significant surge in such crimes, stating that 979 sexual assault cases against girls have been reported in the state in just the last four months, with over 114 cases occurring in Bengaluru alone. "Our women and children are living in fear," he asserted, stressing the need for immediate action.