PSI touched me wrongly: Woman

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru:

After a series of allegations against several cops in the city recently, a woman has alleged sexual harassment by another police sub-inspector attached to the Suddaguntepalya station here. From the last two years, there has been an increase in the number of police officers allegedly involved in corruption and misconduct in Bengaluru. While some of them have faced the music already, others have managed to save themselves using political links, sources said.

A woman, Suman De Silva (name changed), sharing her ordeal at the Sadduguntepalya Police Station said, "I had been to the police station on April 8 to record my statement while helping my relative in a divorce case.” The woman identified the police sub-inspector as Manjunatha Swamy BC, who “tried to touch her inappropriately while talking to her”. "He first tried to become friendly with me but then his inappropriate behaviour made me feel uncomfortable. He started flirting and took my hand in his and caressed it. I was scared and wanted to approach a senior police inspector and complain about it. I got a call from my mother, taking which as an excuse, I left the police station," she said.

The woman said that the PSI had taken down her contact number before she left. "I was feeling so shocked, disgusted and helpless at the police station," she added. The woman on Monday took to her social media accounts and shared her “bitter” experience, bringing it to the notice of the higher police officials. However, that was not the end of her woes. The woman further said that the cop started texting and asking her to share her pictures. "He would continue sending me messages on my WhatsApp late in the night despite me ignoring them. I didn't know what to do about it," she said.

Police play an important role in the community by maintaining public order and safety and allowing a society to thrive. To achieve these goals, the law gives policemen the authority to deter, stop and investigate crimes. However, when a cop abuses his power, he causes significant harm to individuals, society, and limits their freedom. When asked about it, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru South East, Chandrashekhar K Baba said that they will initiate an inquiry and take strict action against the cop if he is found guilty. "However, the woman has not yet filed a complaint regarding the incident," he told News Trail.