A 27-year-old food delivery executive was arrested by Bengaluru police on Christmas Day for allegedly sexually harassing a married woman inside the crowded Phoenix Marketcity mall on Whitefield Main Road. The swift action by police personnel already deployed at the venue for New Year security prevented the accused from fleeing.
Christmas Celebration Turns Traumatic
The incident occurred on December 25, around 7:30 PM, when the mall was filled with visitors celebrating the festive occasion. The victim, a 28-year-old woman originally from West Bengal, was at the mall with her husband and their young child. The family was standing near the mall's large Christmas tree decorations when the alleged assault took place.
According to the complaint filed with Mahadevapura police, the accused, identified as Manoj Chand, approached the woman from behind while she was with her family. It is alleged that Manoj, who appeared to be heavily intoxicated at the time, touched the woman inappropriately. The accused, a native of Guwahati, Assam, was working for a prominent online food delivery service platform at the time of the incident.
Swift Police Response at the Mall
Shocked by the sudden assault, the woman immediately alerted her husband and raised an alarm. Fortunately, police officers from the Whitefield division were already present within the mall premises as part of enhanced security arrangements ahead of the New Year celebrations. Hearing the commotion and the victim's distress, they acted promptly.
The police personnel detained Manoj Chand at the scene itself, preventing any attempt to escape. Following the initial detention, a formal case was registered at the Mahadevapura police station based on the detailed complaint submitted by the victim. The police investigation led to his official arrest.
Legal Proceedings and Judicial Custody
After his arrest, the accused was produced before a local court. The court, after reviewing the initial police report, remanded Manoj Chand to judicial custody. The case highlights the critical importance of public vigilance and prompt police intervention in crowded spaces, even during festive times.
This incident in one of Bengaluru's most popular shopping destinations has raised concerns about safety in public areas. It also puts a spotlight on the conduct of on-duty service personnel. The police have confirmed that the legal process is underway and the investigation is being handled with seriousness.
