A 21-year-old woman residing in a paying guest accommodation in Bengaluru's Jnanajyothinagar area became the victim of a terrifying stalking and assault incident, allegedly perpetrated by a man she first met on Instagram. The attack occurred on the afternoon of December 22 on Ullal Main Road.
From Online Chat to Offline Harassment
The survivor, who hails from Shringeri in Chikkamagaluru district and works as a tele-caller, first connected with the accused, 29-year-old Naveen Kumar N, on September 30. Naveen responded to an Instagram post she had made, which was an advertisement for her workplace. After a few days of chatting on the platform, they exchanged phone numbers.
Initially, Naveen's behaviour was cordial for about three months, and they met often in Nagarabhavi. However, the situation turned sinister when he began forcing her to accept his proposal. The woman repeatedly told him she was not interested, but the harassment escalated.
A Pattern of Stalking and Violence
The woman reported to the police that Naveen began stalking her, following her whenever she left her PG or workplace. He tracked her movements and refused to leave her alone. The harassment became so unbearable that she was forced to quit her job and shift to a new paying guest accommodation. Despite these drastic measures, the accused allegedly continued to pursue her.
The stalking was accompanied by verbal abuse and physical assault on several occasions. The situation culminated on December 22 at 3:20 PM. As the woman stepped out of her PG with a friend on a scooter, Naveen intercepted them in a car. He then assaulted her, hitting her on the head, back, and neck. The woman also accused him of attempting to tear her clothes.
Swift Police Action and Arrest
The victim immediately alerted the police, but by the time officers reached the spot, Naveen had fled. The entire incident was captured on CCTV, and the footage has since gone viral, sparking outrage.
Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 74: Assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
- Section 75: Sexual harassment.
- Section 76: Assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe.
- Section 78: Stalking.
- Section 79: Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
- Section 351: Criminal intimidation.
Demonstrating prompt action, the police arrested the accused, Naveen Kumar N, a resident of Billamaranahalli near Yelahanka, within 24 hours of the case being registered. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Anitha B Haddannavar confirmed the swift arrest.
During interrogation, Naveen, who is unemployed and manages his father's properties, claimed they were in a relationship. He alleged that the woman started avoiding him after accepting gifts and blocked his number and social media accounts. He stated that he assaulted her in anger after she refused to talk to him.
The case highlights the dangers of online acquaintances turning into real-world threats and underscores the importance of swift legal recourse in cases of cyber-enabled harassment and stalking.
