In a disturbing incident in Bengaluru, a 23-year-old food delivery executive has been taken into custody for allegedly sexually harassing a young college student outside her home. The accused, identified as Maniruddi Khan, a resident of Hegdenagar and native of West Bengal, was arrested by the police based on crucial evidence provided by the brave 19-year-old victim.
The Sequence of Events on January 5
The alarming episode unfolded on the evening of January 5, around 6:30 PM, in the Kothanur area. The student was near the front gate of her residence to retrieve her lunch box. As she was closing the gate, she inadvertently made eye contact with a man standing opposite her house.
According to the police complaint, the accused first flashed at her. Choosing to ignore him, the young woman entered her house premises. However, the situation escalated dangerously when the man suddenly approached her from behind. He grabbed her and attempted to cover her mouth. The student's loud shouts forced him to flee the spot initially.
Quick Thinking Leads to Arrest
Displaying remarkable presence of mind, the victim noted the licence plate number of the suspect's two-wheeler. This proved to be the pivotal clue for the investigating officers. The accused returned to the location after about ten minutes to collect his vehicle. The student confronted him again and even tried to grab his bike keys, but he threatened her and sped away.
Armed with the vehicle registration details and after scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding locality, the police team zeroed in on the suspect. They reached his residence and placed him under arrest. A police officer involved in the case confirmed that the accused has been remanded to judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison.
Broader Implications for Safety
This incident has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of women in residential areas and the vetting processes for personnel in customer-facing gig economy roles. It underscores the critical importance of vigilance and the role of prompt action by both victims and law enforcement. The Bengaluru police have reiterated the need for public cooperation and the effectiveness of simple acts, like noting vehicle details, in solving crimes.
The case continues to be under investigation as authorities work to ensure a strong legal proceeding against the accused.
