Bengaluru: A BMTC bus driver was praised by many for his quick action after a woman on a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus was sexually harassed when she tried to take the bus to Manyata Tech Park, which is one of the city's busiest commuter routes.
According to preliminary information, the woman was in the BMTC bus when another passenger allegedly harassed her. This disturbed her so much that she immediately notified other passengers and informed the bus staff of the alleged misconduct.
The bus driver was quick to respond and stopped driving. When the woman explained what happened, she also had fellow passengers gather around the accused to ask why he had done so.
When the driver questioned the man, the accused allegedly reacted aggressively and spat at the driver. The act further strained the bus’s atmosphere, and the driver confronted the accused. The man was restrained by the driver before the situation could get worse, they said.
Other passengers also helped make sure that the accused could not escape from the scene. The bus remained halted briefly while the matter was settled.
After the incident, the accused was handed over to the police for further investigation. Legal proceedings have been started, and the woman, the bus driver and others who witnessed the incident will have to record statements, the police said.
There has been a renewed call for such quick action in cases of harassment on transport, as it can be a very real threat to public transport, and the driver’s quick response to that is appreciated as a result of his quick action, which saved the girl’s life and prevented the accused from fleeing before the police arrived.
Women’s safety on buses and other forms of public transport remains a major concern in big cities such as Bengaluru. Transport officials have constantly urged passengers to report incidents of harassment to bus staff or police and take swift action, as fast as possible, to protect women.
Commuter safety must also be kept in mind, and victims who feel that something is wrong should come forward and report inappropriate behaviour, officials added. Reporting and prompt action by transport staff and passengers and others on board is crucial for public transport safety, and public transport will be made safer when that happens and we need to do all we can to make it safer for everyone.
Police are investigating the whole situation and are still gathering evidence. Legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered.
