A Bengaluru police head constable was allegedly assaulted by a group of youths late yesterday (Jan. 13) near Gangammanagudi Circle after a woman accused him of acting inappropriately with her on a BMTC bus. Now, both sides have expressed anger about the incident, and the police have opened an investigation.
The injured officer has been identified as Manjunath, who was the head constable of the Sanjaynagar Police Station, as he was travelling on a BMTC bus to Jalahalli when the incident occurred.
During the bus journey, the police constable was accused by a woman passenger of being unprofessional. On the bus, the two of them had an argument, and soon the conversation was in front of other passengers, and it was tense on the journey.
Police sources said the woman had contacted her relatives through the phone and told them of the incident. By the time the bus reached Gangammanagudi Circle, a group of youths, believed to be relatives or acquaintances of the woman, had gathered at the scene.
As soon as the bus stopped, the group confronted the police head constable. Manjunath said the youths assaulted him despite his repeated claims that he was a police officer. The attackers dragged him out, ripped his clothes and physically assaulted him in public.
Witnesses say the constable received injuries to his face and body during the attack. He also suffered bleeding injuries and several bruises before bystanders intervened. The injured officer was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru, where he is still being treated.
Meanwhile, the woman has also filed a formal complaint against the police constable for misbehaving with her on the bus journey. The police have registered a case and started gathering statements from the passengers and other witnesses who were on board.
Head Constable Manjunath has also filed a counter-complaint, alleging that he was unlawfully assaulted by the group of youths. He claimed that the attack was unprovoked and excessive, resulting in serious physical injury.
Both a complaint and a counter-complaint have been registered at Gangammanagudi Police Station, the sources said. CCTV footage from the bus, footage from nearby surveillance cameras and eyewitnesses will help investigators to locate the sequence of events.
Police are also likely to check if the alleged misconduct took place and then to find out who actually committed the attack. If criminal charges are warranted against any of the parties involved, they would be brought forward.
The incident has triggered public discussion about passenger safety, accountability and the necessity for law enforcement to investigate thoroughly before giving a final judgment. Police have appealed to the public not to spread unverified information on social media while the investigation is ongoing.
Police officials will take appropriate legal action based on the evidence gathered, they said. The case is still under investigation, and further details are expected to emerge after the completion of the preliminary inquiry.
