A 26-year-old beautician and mother of 2 was reportedly harassed and assaulted in broad daylight in Jigani, near Bannerghatta, on Sunday between 4 & 5 PM.
While walking to a nearby shop in Prabhakar Reddy Layout, the woman was allegedly accosted by 24-year-old John Richard, who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
He blocked her path, made lewd comments, and touched her inappropriately. Although a few men in his group initially tried to stop him, they ultimately allowed the assault to continue. When the woman resisted, she was beaten.
Good Samaritan Intervenes
A man riding a two-wheeler reportedly came to her aid, helping her escape and taking her safely home. However, the ordeal didn’t end there.
Attack Escalates At Her Home
Soon after she returned home, John and his friends followed her, jumped over her compound wall and gate, and threatened her again. “They waylaid me, harassed and assaulted me under the influence of alcohol and ganja. I ran inside the house, but they followed me,” she told reporters.
When neighbors tried to intervene, they were also attacked.
Retaliation From Accused’s Family
Shockingly, the accused’s parents arrived at the woman’s home later, accusing her and a male friend , a gym trainer , of assaulting their son. However, eyewitnesses reportedly dismissed the claims and pointed out that the entire attack had been captured on CCTV.
Police Action & FIR Delay
John Richard and his father, Kanikya Swamy, have been detained. Police have booked the accused under various sections, including sexual harassment, assault, criminal intimidation, and wrongful restraint. Bengaluru District Superintendent of Police, C.K. Baba, confirmed that a manhunt is underway to arrest others involved.
The woman alleged that her initial complaint on Sunday was not converted into an FIR. Police officials, however, claimed that both parties had come to the station and agreed to return the next day. She later approached them again on Monday, citing fresh threats.
Counter-Complaint by Accused’s Mother
In a twist, John’s mother, Mary Pushpa, has filed a counter-complaint alleging that her son was assaulted by the gym trainer during the incident. Police have stated that both complaints are under active investigation.
CCTV footage of the incident has gone viral, sparking public anger over the brazenness of the assault and the initial delay in action. Calls for swift justice and police accountability continue to grow as the investigation unfolds.
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