‘Blocked me, so I hit her’: Bengaluru woman says Instagram ‘pal’ turned violent after months of stalking; quit job, changed PG to escape | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU: A 21-year-old woman living in a paying guest accommodation in Jnanajyothinagar on Ullal Main Road was allegedly stalked and assaulted by an Instagram acquaintance on the afternoon of Dec 22.Following her complaint, police acted promptly and arrested the accused, 29-year-old Naveen Kumar N, a resident of Billamaranahalli near Yelahanka. Naveen, who is unemployed, manages his father’s properties.
The survivor, originally from Shringeri in Chikkamagaluru district, moved to Bengaluru nearly two years ago and works as a tele-caller. She told police that she first connected with Naveen when he responded to her Instagram post on Sept 30, which was an advertisement for her workplace. After a few days of chatting on Instagram, they exchanged phone numbers, and Naveen started contacting her frequently on the phone. Later, they started meeting often in Nagarabhavi. For the first three months, his behaviour was cordial. However, he later began forcing her to accept his proposal, despite repeatedly telling him that she was not interested, the woman told police.She alleged that Naveen continued to harass and follow her whenever she stepped out of her PG or workplace, refusing to leave her alone and tracking her movements. Unable to bear the harassment, the woman quit her job and shifted to a new PG. Despite this, the accused allegedly continued to follow her. She alleged that he verbally abused her and physically assaulted her on several occasions. On Dec 22, at 3.20pm, when she stepped out of the PG along with her friend on a scooter, Naveen allegedly intercepted them in a car and assaulted her by hitting her on the head, back, and neck. She also accused him of attempting to tear her clothes. The woman immediately alerted police, but the accused fled by the time cops reached the spot. CCTV footage of the assault has since gone viral. Police have registered a case under Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), 76 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe), 78 (stalking), 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Deputy commissioner of police (Southwest) Anitha B Haddannavar said the accused was arrested within 24 hours of the case being registered. During interrogation, Naveen claimed they were in a relationship and that the woman started avoiding him after taking his gifts and blocked his mobile number and social media accounts. He told police that he assaulted her in anger after she refused to talk to him.
