News: Women riders harassed in South Bengaluru
International Women’s Day ride turns ugly for two women in Bengaluru merely halting for water. The bikers were harassed by a father and son for pulling up their bike on the opposite main road in “front of their residence”. The women riders claimed that the land the bikers had halted on was owned by the Father and Son.
What Exactly Happened?
The incident occurred in Gottigere NICE road in South Bengaluru around 1.15 pm on Sunday, 5th March 2023.
Dr Sharon Samuel and Priyanka Prasad, two bikers, were on their way back home from International Women’s Day ride. And had stopped on the roadside to drink water. That’s when the father-son duo started yelling and abusing from their home across the road, asking them to leave. (as seen on the Instagram video shared by Priyanka Prasad)
The Instagram video clearly shows Hanumanthappa identified as the father yelling. And Manjunath, the son, crossing the road and questioning them and asking them to leave immediately. “What are you doing here?, Its my property, You’re not supposed to halt here, I am an advocate”- is clearly heard in the video shared.
When the Dr. Sharon and Priyanka stated that they had halted on the road, they were being told ‘You have halted at my gate, “Its the passage to the gate”, “I cross from here and go”, “You are not supposed to halt here”, all the while continuously yelling at them to move immediately.
Further, he proceeded to snatch the keys from Sharon’s bike, twisting her hand in the process, causing it to swell. The women later called the police helpline 112, and when the policemen asked to return the keys Manjunath reportedly refused. The keys were only handed over to the inspector at the Konanakunte police station later.
At the Police Station
Nearly 100 plus bikers gathered outside the police station in South Bengaluru to support the women riders who were harassed. As per the Instagram story shared by Priyanka Prasad it took 7.5hours to get the case registered.
During this period, time and again the women were modifying the complaint and asking to compromise. In the Instagram video Priyanka Prasad & Dr. Sharon Samuel urged the biking community and people on Instagram to support and help. And in no time the netizens and biker community flooded with support.
Moreover, as informed by passers who had gathered nearby said that Manjunath, is known for causing such a ruckus. He has treated many bikers in a similar manner in the past.
Case Registered
An FIR is filed based on the women’s complaint and further investigations are underway – stated P Krishnakant, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).
Charges pressed by the police are under IPC sections 506, 323 & 354 (dealing with criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing hurt, and assault or force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) respectively.
We hope justice is served here and traveling becomes furthermore safer.