A woman walking home near Eco World in Bengaluru’s Marathahalli area was allegedly molested several times in a span of minutes late on 30 April. The attacker, riding a two-wheeler, struck her from behind and returned twice before fleeing. Despite being in a crowded tech hub, she received no help from bystanders. Police have launched a manhunt and registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
‘I shouted for help. No one came’
The woman, 23, was returning home around 11.30 pm when she was hit from behind. At first, she thought it was an accident.
“I was perplexed. I thought maybe someone was riding a vehicle recklessly. The same thing happened again, though, and with greater intensity. Then I was sure someone was doing this deliberately,” she told NDTV.
The third time, she said, she saw the man take a U-turn and come back towards her. She tried to stop vehicles and called out to people around.
“I shouted for help, there were so many people, it is always a bustling area… I asked people for help, I stopped auto drivers, I stopped others… but no one came to my help, that’s the most surprising thing,” she said.
Case registered, CCTV footage under review
According to DCP Whitefield Shivakumar, the incident occurred near the Eco World gate around 11.40 pm. A man on a two-wheeler approached the complainant from behind and hit her before speeding away.
The case has been registered under Sections 74 (use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), and 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police confirmed.
Marathahalli Police Inspector I K Anil Kumar added, “The incident took place around 11.30 pm when the woman was returning home alone. A case has been registered. We have launched an investigation to apprehend the culprit.”
Police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas and questioning potential witnesses. Technical evidence is being gathered to help identify the accused.
‘I’m not a victim. He is’
The woman said she chose to speak publicly to challenge the stigma around survivors of sexual harassment and encourage others to report such incidents.
“The investigation is on. I am keeping my fingers crossed, hoping the man gets caught. This has happened to me, and if the man gets a free pass, he can do this to others as well.”
She said she doesn’t see herself—or others in similar situations—as victims.
“The person who did this is the victim. Imagine how messed up he would have to be to derive a sense of control by violating someone’s boundaries to this extent. So my message to other women is: Don’t victimise yourself… You don’t need to hide behind the curtains… The person who is doing this is the one doing something wrong.”
‘Respect for space is still missing’
She was assisted by security personnel at a booth in Eco World and filed a formal police complaint on 1 May. She has since resolved to be more alert in future.
“Now I know how to deal with such a situation and will be more alert.”
Reflecting on the broader issues, she said societal change must begin with individuals.
“If, tomorrow, I have a son, I know what I will be teaching him. There is a typical conditioning that has infiltrated society – that men get a free pass for so many behaviours. Even women, under the pretence of feminism, have started to take a free pass for so many things. So it’s about knowing the laws and respecting them.”
Despite the presence of surveillance cameras and guards, the assault occurred in a high-footfall area. For her, that shows a deeper issue.
“The fact that this happened in an area with so many surveillance cameras and security guards... That's the most surprising thing, and is testimony to the fact that no matter how many safety measures we have, there is a big loophole when it comes to how people are conditioned to look at each other and towards respecting each other's boundaries.”
Outrage over repeated lapses in public safety
The case has sparked public anger, especially since it follows another sexual assault reported in Suddguntepalya earlier in April, which triggered protests.
Women’s rights activists are calling for better patrolling and faster response systems, particularly in areas like Marathahalli, where women often work late hours.
“The city needs to do much more to ensure that women feel safe in public spaces,” said one activist, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Stronger surveillance, quicker response systems, and more proactive patrolling are urgently needed, especially in areas with high foot traffic and IT offices.”
The woman’s account has reopened the conversation around public apathy, gendered safety, and the pressing need to address the gaps not just in law enforcement, but in civic behaviour.
‘I shouted for help. No one came’
The woman, 23, was returning home around 11.30 pm when she was hit from behind. At first, she thought it was an accident.
“I was perplexed. I thought maybe someone was riding a vehicle recklessly. The same thing happened again, though, and with greater intensity. Then I was sure someone was doing this deliberately,” she told NDTV.
The third time, she said, she saw the man take a U-turn and come back towards her. She tried to stop vehicles and called out to people around.
“I shouted for help, there were so many people, it is always a bustling area… I asked people for help, I stopped auto drivers, I stopped others… but no one came to my help, that’s the most surprising thing,” she said.
Case registered, CCTV footage under review
According to DCP Whitefield Shivakumar, the incident occurred near the Eco World gate around 11.40 pm. A man on a two-wheeler approached the complainant from behind and hit her before speeding away.
The case has been registered under Sections 74 (use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), and 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police confirmed.
Marathahalli Police Inspector I K Anil Kumar added, “The incident took place around 11.30 pm when the woman was returning home alone. A case has been registered. We have launched an investigation to apprehend the culprit.”
Police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas and questioning potential witnesses. Technical evidence is being gathered to help identify the accused.
‘I’m not a victim. He is’
The woman said she chose to speak publicly to challenge the stigma around survivors of sexual harassment and encourage others to report such incidents.
“The investigation is on. I am keeping my fingers crossed, hoping the man gets caught. This has happened to me, and if the man gets a free pass, he can do this to others as well.”
She said she doesn’t see herself—or others in similar situations—as victims.
“The person who did this is the victim. Imagine how messed up he would have to be to derive a sense of control by violating someone’s boundaries to this extent. So my message to other women is: Don’t victimise yourself… You don’t need to hide behind the curtains… The person who is doing this is the one doing something wrong.”
‘Respect for space is still missing’
She was assisted by security personnel at a booth in Eco World and filed a formal police complaint on 1 May. She has since resolved to be more alert in future.
“Now I know how to deal with such a situation and will be more alert.”
Reflecting on the broader issues, she said societal change must begin with individuals.
“If, tomorrow, I have a son, I know what I will be teaching him. There is a typical conditioning that has infiltrated society – that men get a free pass for so many behaviours. Even women, under the pretence of feminism, have started to take a free pass for so many things. So it’s about knowing the laws and respecting them.”
Despite the presence of surveillance cameras and guards, the assault occurred in a high-footfall area. For her, that shows a deeper issue.
“The fact that this happened in an area with so many surveillance cameras and security guards... That's the most surprising thing, and is testimony to the fact that no matter how many safety measures we have, there is a big loophole when it comes to how people are conditioned to look at each other and towards respecting each other's boundaries.”
Outrage over repeated lapses in public safety
The case has sparked public anger, especially since it follows another sexual assault reported in Suddguntepalya earlier in April, which triggered protests.
Women’s rights activists are calling for better patrolling and faster response systems, particularly in areas like Marathahalli, where women often work late hours.
“The city needs to do much more to ensure that women feel safe in public spaces,” said one activist, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Stronger surveillance, quicker response systems, and more proactive patrolling are urgently needed, especially in areas with high foot traffic and IT offices.”
The woman’s account has reopened the conversation around public apathy, gendered safety, and the pressing need to address the gaps not just in law enforcement, but in civic behaviour.
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