A shocking case of stalking and physical assault has emerged from Bengaluru, where a 21-year-old woman was attacked in broad daylight by a man who had been persistently harassing her. The entire incident was captured by a CCTV camera and has sparked outrage across social media platforms.
How the Assault Unfolded on Camera
The attack took place on Monday, December 22, at around 3:20 pm. The victim was waiting beside a scooter, believed to be a ride-hailing vehicle, when the accused, identified as Naveen Kumar, arrived in a car. Disturbing footage shows Kumar snatching the woman's purse, searching through it, and then moving closer to grope her.
He then proceeded to repeatedly strike her on the head and back before dragging her along the road. Reports indicate that Kumar had first gone to the woman's paying guest (PG) accommodation in his car. Upon seeing her, he confronted, dragged, and assaulted her.
A Friendship Turned into a Nightmare
The woman, who moved to Bengaluru nearly two years ago and worked as a tele-caller at a developer's firm, first connected with Naveen Kumar on Instagram. He had responded to an advertisement she posted for her firm. After chatting for a few days, they exchanged phone numbers.
Initially friendly for about three months, Kumar's behaviour took an alarming turn. He allegedly began incessantly calling and messaging her, later pressuring her to accept his proposal despite her clear disinterest. The harassment escalated to him following her whenever she left her PG or workplace, tracking her movements relentlessly.
The situation became so unbearable that the woman quit her job and moved to a new PG accommodation. However, Kumar allegedly continued to stalk her, finding her new residence. The victim has stated that he verbally abused and physically assaulted her on multiple occasions prior to the December 22 attack. During this particular assault, she also accused him of attempting to tear her clothes.
Police Response and Aftermath
Following the brutal assault, the victim immediately called the police emergency helpline 112. Unfortunately, by the time police personnel reached the spot, the accused had already fled the scene. The widespread circulation of the CCTV footage on social media has put significant pressure on authorities to ensure swift action and justice for the victim.
This incident highlights the severe dangers of online harassment spilling into real-world violence and raises serious concerns about the safety of women in public spaces, even during the day.
