Bengaluru Groping Incident Sparks Outrage; Karnataka Home Minister Says 'Such Incidents Happen in Big Cities'

Bengaluru, April 7: A chilling incident of sexual harassment caught on CCTV in Bengaluru's BTM Layout has triggered widespread outrage on social media and renewed concerns over women’s safety in urban areas. The footage, which surfaced online and quickly went viral, shows two women being followed by an unidentified man through a dimly lit alleyway. Around 1:52 am on April 3, the man is seen suddenly cornering and groping one of the women before fleeing the scene.

As public anger mounted, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara responded to the incident, stating, “Incidents like these tend to happen here and there in a big city like this. Whatever legal action needs to be taken will be done in accordance with the law. I have also instructed our commissioner to increase beat patrolling.”

The minister’s remarks, perceived by many as dismissive, have added fuel to the fire, drawing sharp criticism from activists and citizens alike. Many have questioned the government’s commitment to women’s safety and called for stronger preventive measures.

Police officials have confirmed that an investigation is underway, and efforts are being made to identify and apprehend the accused. Authorities have reportedly intensified patrols in the area and are analyzing more CCTV footage for leads.

The incident has reignited discussions around the need for better-lit public spaces, increased surveillance, and faster response times by law enforcement. Civil society groups have also demanded more sensitive handling of such cases by public officials.

As Bengaluru grapples with the shock and implications of the attack, the city’s residents are calling for accountability—not just from the perpetrators, but also from those in power tasked with ensuring their safety.