‘Happens In Big Cities’: Karnataka Home Minister After CCTV Captures Bengaluru Woman’s Sexual Assault
A shocking incident of sexual assault in Bengaluru has triggered outrage after Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara downplayed the case by stating that such incidents “happen here and there” in big cities. His comments, made to reporters on Monday, came in the wake of a disturbing CCTV video showing a woman being molested in the Sadduguntepalya area on April 3.
The video, now widely circulated online, shows two women walking through a narrow street when a man suddenly approaches and forcibly gropes one of them, pushing her against a wall before fleeing the scene. The two women, startled and distressed, quickly leave the area.
When asked about the incident, Parameshwara said, “Incidents like these tend to happen here and there in a big city like this.” He further added, “Whatever legal action needs to be taken will be done in accordance with the law. I have also instructed our commissioner to increase beat patrolling.”
The Home Minister’s comments have drawn criticism from citizens and activists, who argue that dismissing such incidents as common urban occurrences risks normalising violence against women.
Reacting to the assault, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Sarah Fathima told ANI that a case had been registered and an investigation was underway. “We have taken cognizance of the matter and an FIR has been registered,” she said.
ALSO READ | Bengaluru Man Kills Wife, Stuffs Body in Suitcase, Confesses to In-Laws
The FIR has been lodged under Sections 74, 75, and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a legal framework recently implemented to replace parts of the Indian Penal Code.
Meanwhile, women’s rights activists and opposition leaders have condemned the minister’s remarks, urging the government to treat such crimes with the seriousness they warrant.
“This mindset from those in power is deeply problematic. It trivializes the trauma faced by victims and undermines public confidence in law enforcement,” said Ananya Sharma, a Bengaluru-based gender rights advocate.
The assault has sparked renewed calls for enhanced street surveillance, quicker police response mechanisms, and stronger public safety measures in urban areas.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are working to identify and apprehend the accused. The police have appealed to the public to come forward with any information that may assist in the case.
The incident adds to a growing list of concerns about women’s safety in Bengaluru, a city often regarded as one of the more progressive urban centres in India.
