Residents of Vidyanagar in the Hebbagodi area were left in a state of shock and disgust following the arrest of a 23-year-old man accused of a bizarre and disturbing series of thefts. The Bengaluru police have apprehended a youth, identified as Amal, originally from Kerala, for systematically stealing women’s undergarments and using them for personal perversion.
The arrest has brought a sense of relief to the local community, particularly women, who had been reporting mysterious disappearances of their laundry for several weeks.
The Modus Operandi
Amal, who resided in the Vidyanagar locality, reportedly spent his days scouting residential buildings from a distance. According to police sources, he would carefully observe houses and Paying Guest (PG) accommodations to identify where clothes were hung out to dry on balconies or terrace areas.
Once he confirmed that the residents were away or distracted, Amal would trespass into these properties to steal women’s innerwear. Unlike typical thieves looking for valuables like jewelry or electronics, his focus was exclusively on these personal items.
A Disturbing Discovery
The case took a darker turn when Hebbagodi police conducted a search of Amal’s residence following his detention. Officers were stunned to find a significant collection of stolen garments hidden in his room.
However, the most incriminating evidence was found on his mobile phone. A digital forensic examination revealed numerous photos and videos of Amal wearing the stolen garments himself. It appeared that he took these photos to derive a "perverted pleasure," documenting his voyeuristic and fetishistic behavior.
Police Action and Public Reaction
The Hebbagodi police moved swiftly after receiving specific complaints about suspicious activity in the Vidyanagar neighborhood. "The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) for theft and outraging the modesty of women," a senior police official stated. "The evidence found on his phone confirms the obsessive nature of his actions."
The incident has sparked a conversation among Bengaluru residents regarding the safety of drying clothes in common areas and the need for increased CCTV surveillance in residential pockets. Local community leaders have urged residents to stay vigilant and report any strangers seen loitering near residential terraces or backyards.
Amal is currently in judicial custody as the investigation continues to determine if there are more victims who have yet to come forward.
