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 connected with on Instagram. The accused, identified as 29-year-old Naveen Kumar N, was arrested by the police within a day of the complaint being filed.
From Instagram Chat to Harassment
The survivor, who originally hails from Shringeri in Chikkamagaluru district, moved to Bengaluru for work nearly two years ago and was employed as a tele-caller. Her ordeal began on September 30, when Naveen Kumar 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, and they started meeting often in the Nagarabhavi area. However, the situation took a dark turn after the first three months. The woman told police that Naveen began forcing her to accept his proposal, despite her repeatedly stating she was not interested. When she continued to refuse, the harassment escalated.
A Pattern of Stalking and Violence
The accused allegedly began to stalk the woman relentlessly. He would follow her whenever she stepped out of her PG accommodation or her workplace, tracking her movements and refusing to leave her alone. The harassment became so unbearable that the woman was forced to quit her job and shift to a new paying guest facility in a desperate attempt to escape him.
Despite this drastic step, Naveen Kumar allegedly continued to pursue her. The woman reported that he verbally abused her and physically assaulted her on several occasions. The situation culminated in a violent attack on December 22 at around 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 allegedly assaulted her, hitting her on the head, back, and neck. In a further act of aggression, he attempted to tear her clothes. The woman immediately alerted the police, but the accused fled the scene before officers could arrive. CCTV footage of this assault has since gone viral on social media.
Swift Police Action and Legal Charges
Acting promptly on the survivor's complaint, the police registered a case and launched a manhunt. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Anitha B Haddannavar confirmed that the accused was arrested within 24 hours of the case being registered. Naveen Kumar N, a resident of Billamaranahalli near Yelahanka, is unemployed and manages his father's properties.
During interrogation, the accused presented a different narrative, claiming they were in a relationship. He alleged that the woman started avoiding him after accepting gifts and subsequently blocked his mobile number and social media accounts. Naveen stated that he assaulted her in a fit of anger after she refused to talk to him.
However, based on the survivor's complaint and evidence, the police have booked him under multiple stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include:
- 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.
This case highlights the serious dangers of online acquaintances turning into real-world threats and underscores the importance of swift legal recourse. The police's rapid response in making an arrest serves as a critical step in seeking justice for the survivor.
