Bengaluru Police Nab Suspect in Sexual Assault Case After 700 CCTV Reviews
Bengaluru police arrested a sexual assault suspect after an extensive manhunt spanning three states and 700 CCTV reviews. The accuser, Santosh, fled to Kerala after the incident in BTM Layout. The case has sparked political controversy due to insensitive remarks by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, responding to criticism from opposition parties including the BJP.
The Bengaluru police successfully arrested a man accused of sexual harassment after an extensive search utilizing surveillance footage. The hunt involved reviewing records from 700 CCTVs and took place across three states, culminating in the suspect’s capture in a remote village in Kerala. The accused, identified as 26-year-old Santosh, was tracked after fleeing from Bengaluru to Tamil Nadu and then to Kerala, evading law enforcement for nearly a week.
The incident involved CCTV footage that captured Santosh following two women in BTM Layout, Bengaluru. He groped one of them, prompting a swift manhunt. The police later registered a case against him under various charges, including assault and sexual harassment, although the victims requested not to participate further in the investigation due to privacy concerns.
Challenges in the investigation included the poor quality of the CCTV footage, which complicated efforts to identify the suspect initially. This incident sparked significant political controversy, especially following comments made by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, who stated that such incidents are common in a large city, prompting backlash from opposition parties such as the BJP.
BJP leaders criticized the minister for his remarks, suggesting he downplayed the seriousness of sexual assault. The BJP spokesperson condemned the comments as “insensitive,” while BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan expressed that the minister’s response reflects a lack of accountability. Following the backlash, Minister Parameshwara clarified that his comments were misunderstood and expressed his concern for women’s safety, offering apologies for the misinterpretation of his statement.
The rapid arrest of the accused following a comprehensive surveillance operation demonstrates the effectiveness of police collaboration across states. However, the political fallout from the Home Minister’s comments highlights ongoing issues regarding accountability and sensitivity towards sexual assault in urban areas. The incident, coupled with public outrage and political criticism, underscores the need for improved safety measures for women and a vigilant approach by law enforcement to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
