BENGALURU: A 21-year-old woman residing at a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Jnanajyothinagar on Ullal Main Road was allegedly stalked and assaulted by a man she befriended on Instagram on Monday afternoon (December 22).
Following a complaint filed by the victim, the Jnanabharathi police swung into action and arrested the accused, identified as Naveen Kumar N (29), a resident of Billamaranahalli near Yelahanka.
The victim, Archana (name changed) had moved to Bengaluru nearly two years ago and was working as a tele-caller at a developer’s firm.
According to her complaint filed with the Jnanabharathi police, the incident occurred between 3.20 pm and 3.40 pm. She stated that on September 30, while working as a tele-caller, she had posted an advertisement related to her firm on Instagram.
Naveen Kumar saw the post and responded to it.
After a few days of chatting on Instagram, they exchanged phone numbers. Thereafter, Naveen allegedly began contacting her frequently through calls and messages and later started meeting her often in Nagarabhavi.
For the first three months, his behaviour was cordial. However, the woman alleged that he later began forcing her to accept his proposal of love, despite her repeatedly telling him that she was not interested.
She further alleged that Naveen continued to harass and follow her whenever she stepped out of her PG or workplace, refusing to leave her alone and tracking her movements wherever she went.
Unable to bear the harassment, the woman quit her job at the developer’s firm and shifted to a PG. Despite this, the accused allegedly continued to follow her to the PG premises. She alleged that he verbally abused her and physically assaulted her on several occasions.
On December 22, around 3.20 pm, when she stepped out of the PG along with her friend on a scooter, Naveen allegedly intercepted them in a car and assaulted her by hitting her on the head, back, and neck. She also accused him of attempting to tear her clothes during the attack.
The victim immediately alerted the police by calling the emergency helpline 112. However, by the time police personnel reached the spot, the accused had fled.
Based on her complaint, the police registered a case under Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), 76 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe), 78 (stalking), 79 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The police arrested Naveen Kumar soon after. During interrogation, he claimed that after getting acquainted through Instagram, they fell in love and later developed disputes.
He stated that Archana blocked his mobile number and social media accounts, which left him frustrated. He allegedly went near her PG to talk to her, and when she refused, he assaulted her in anger, a senior police officer said.
Deputy commissioner of Police (South-West) Anitha B. Haddannavar said the accused was arrested within 24 hours of the case being registered and that further investigation is under way.
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HM Chaithanya Swamy is a Special Correspondent at The Times of In...
Read MoreHM Chaithanya Swamy is a Special Correspondent at The Times of India, Bengaluru, with 15 years of experience. He has established a strong reputation in crime and civic reporting, covering a wide range of issues including traffic challenges, cybercrime, and criminal trends in Bengaluru. His reporting spans high-profile investigations led by agencies including National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Directorate of Enforcement (ED), as well as key state police agencies, court proceedings, and crimes against women and children.
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