‘Incidents like these happen in big cities’: Karnataka home minister’s remark on Bengaluru sex assault sparks outrage

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stirred controversy on Monday with his remarks following the sexual assault of a woman in Bengaluru’s Sadduguntepalya area, which was captured on CCTV on April 3.

While addressing the incident, the minister called it “unfortunate” but added, “Incidents like these tend to happen here and there in a big city like this. Whatever legal action needs to be taken will be done in accordance with the law.”

His statement, widely seen as dismissive, has drawn strong criticism for appearing to downplay the gravity of the attack.

Parameshwara said he has been urging the police to enhance patrolling efforts. “I keep telling the police commissioner daily to be careful, to monitor all areas through patrolling. This is something I say almost every day. When incidents happen here and there, people’s attention is drawn. The cops are working 24/7. I spoke to the commissioner this morning too,” he said.

In a now-viral CCTV video from BTM Layout, a man is seen following two women down an alley. He suddenly gropes one of the women while the other tries to intervene. The man then flees the scene, and the visibly shaken women walk away.

Following the incident, an FIR was registered under Sections 74, 75, and 78 of the BNS Act. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East Division), Sarah Fathima, confirmed that a probe is underway to identify and apprehend the accused.

The victim later filed a complaint at the Banasawadi police station.

In a third case, a young migrant labourer from Bihar was kidnapped and raped near a railway station in Bengaluru while searching for food with her brother in the early hours of Thursday. This incident was reported under the Mahadevapura police station limits.

The string of recent assaults has sparked growing concern over women’s safety in the city, and many are calling for stronger police presence and more sensitive responses from government officials.