
Bengaluru police arrested a 28-year-old man on Tuesday for allegedly harassing a 24-year-old woman who was waiting for a cab. The incident took place in the early hours of Monday morning near a busy cab stand in the city's central business district.
The woman had booked a cab through a ride-hailing app and was waiting at the designated pickup point when the accused approached her. He allegedly made lewd comments and tried to touch her, forcing her to step away and shout for help.
Passersby alerted a nearby security guard, who intervened. The accused fled the scene before police arrived. However, the entire incident was captured on a CCTV camera installed at the cab stand.
Police reviewed the footage and identified the accused as a resident of a neighbouring locality. A team was formed to trace him, and he was picked up from his home on Tuesday evening.
โWe analysed the CCTV footage and matched it with our database. The accused was identified and arrested within 48 hours of the complaint,โ a senior police officer said.
The woman, a software professional, filed a complaint at the local police station on Monday morning. She provided a description of the man and the time of the incident.
Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those dealing with sexual harassment and criminal intimidation. The accused was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.
โWe urge women to report such incidents immediately. Our response time has improved, and we are using technology to track down offenders,โ the officer added.
This incident comes amid ongoing concerns over women's safety in Bengaluru, particularly in public spaces like bus stops and cab stands. In recent months, multiple cases of harassment and stalking have been reported across the city.
Women's rights activists have called for better lighting, more CCTV cameras, and increased police patrolling in vulnerable areas. They have also urged ride-hailing companies to improve driver verification and in-app safety features.
The Bengaluru police have launched a dedicated helpline for women in distress and have increased the number of all-women police patrols in key areas. However, activists say more needs to be done to create a safe environment for women.
The accused remains in judicial custody as police investigate if he has a history of similar offences. His bail application is expected to be heard in the coming days. The case will likely serve as another reminder of the challenges women face in public spaces in Indian cities.