Bengaluru: Nursing student raped by PG owner after confessing to theft; accused held

Bengaluru: A 21-year-old nursing student was allegedly raped by the owner of a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Bengaluru after she confessed to a theft, officials said on Wednesday. The accused has been arrested.

The suspect, identified as Ravi Teja Reddy, 35, owned the PG facility where the incident occurred.

According to police, the victim, a nursing graduate from Andhra Pradesh who had moved into the PG just a week earlier while job-hunting, allegedly stole three gold rings from another resident.

She reportedly disconnected the CCTV camera during the theft but later asked another inmate if the footage would still be recorded despite the wire being cut. This conversation raised suspicion and was relayed to Reddy.

Upon confronting her, Reddy allegedly threatened to report her to the police. The student admitted to the theft, and Reddy instructed his aides to recover the stolen items.

According to the complaint, when the student pleaded for forgiveness, Reddy slapped her and sexually assaulted her.

The FIR states that after she vomited and fled to the restroom, he followed and allegedly assaulted her again.

Initially reluctant to report the incident, the victim later confided in a male friend, who connected her with a city-based advocate. With legal assistance, she filed a formal complaint with the police.

The victim was sent for a medical examination, and the accused was taken into custody. Reddy has been booked under Sections 64(1), 74, and 75(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The victim also alleged that Reddy later threatened her not to disclose the assault. It was only after receiving support from friends that she found the courage to approach the police.