Domestic help in Bengaluru assaulted by stalkers

A 20-year-old domestic help was allegedly brutally assaulted by a group of migrant labourers at Varthur in Bengaluru after she resisted their advances, with the accused later accusing her of having an illicit affair. One of the accused further allegedly threatened to kill her for identifying him before the police.

The alleged incident occurred on April 3 night at a labourers’ colony on Belagere Road, where the woman lives alone. According to police, the woman was inside her house when her neighbour, Riyaz, came to deliver drinking water. At that moment, a group of men arrived, locked the house from outside, and began creating a ruckus.

Sensing danger, the woman locked herself inside. However, the accused allegedly broke open the door, dragged her out, and assaulted her in a brutal manner — kicking, slapping, punching, and dragging her by the hair. The attackers also assaulted Riyaz, accusing him of being in a relationship with the woman. Both were told to leave the colony. Neighbours intervened and rescued the injured woman, who was shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Based on the medico-legal case (MLC), Varthur police have registered a case under Sections 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt using dangerous weapons or means), 351 (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult meant to provoke a breach of peace.), and 78 (stalking,) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Police have arrested two of the accused, while a search is underway to nab the remaining suspects who are on the run.

The woman alleged that the accused threatened to kill her when she was called to the police station for identification. “I live alone and have no family. I fear for my life,” she said, seeking police protection.

The woman further alleged that the accused, who stay in the same locality, had been stalking her, passing lewd remarks, and repeatedly asking for her phone number. The assault, she said, was triggered after she objected to their behaviour.

The victim is now under the care of a city-based social activist, as she fears going back to the colony.