Bengaluru SBI Employee Allegedly Sexually Harassed by Businessman Customer
A disturbing incident of alleged sexual harassment has emerged from a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in East Bengaluru, where a 40-year-old female staffer was reportedly targeted by a customer. The accused, identified as KR Ravi Shetty, a local businessman, is said to have exploited his visit to the bank to harass the employee.
Details of the Alleged Harassment
According to the complaint filed by the victim, whose identity has been protected as Preethi (name changed), the incident began on March 10. Shetty visited the branch to inquire about internet banking services. During their conversation, he requested that Preethi give a missed call to his mobile number for banking-related purposes, a request she complied with, unaware of his ulterior motives.
Later that evening, around 8 PM, Shetty allegedly started sending a series of lewd and obscene messages to Preethi's phone. Disturbed by the content, Preethi immediately issued a warning to Shetty and reported the matter to the branch's chief manager the following day, March 11.
Escalation of the Situation
When contacted by the bank authorities, Shetty reportedly promised to visit the branch and apologize for his actions. However, instead of making amends, he escalated the situation further. At 5:20 PM on the same day, Shetty sent another inappropriate message, this time directed at the chief manager, concerning the complainant. This act aggravated the harassment and demonstrated a blatant disregard for the seriousness of the allegations.
Legal Action Taken
Following these events, the complainant took decisive action by approaching the police. A formal case has been registered under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to sexual harassment, at the Banasawadi police station in Bengaluru. Authorities have issued a notice to Shetty, summoning him for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.
This case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by employees in customer-facing roles and underscores the importance of swift legal recourse in such situations. The use of digital communication for harassment adds a modern dimension to such crimes, necessitating vigilance and robust reporting mechanisms.
