Bengaluru: Woman alleges molestation on Namma Metro; police file NCR, accused warned

Police have registered a Non-Cognisable Report (NCR) in connection with the incident.

The incident occurred on Tuesday inside a metro train near the Majestic interchange, one of the city’s busiest transit hubs.

Police identified the accused as a 55-year-old man named Mutappa, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time.

According to police, the man repeatedly fell against the woman during the journey.

The woman, who was returning home from work, confronted him inside the train and later alerted metro security personnel. Following her complaint, the matter was referred to the Upparpet Police Station.

Police said an NCR was registered, the accused was summoned for questioning, issued a warning and later released.

An NCR allows police to record information about an alleged offence that does not permit arrest without court approval.

In a video statement, the woman said her metro ride lasted about 15 minutes. She said she was initially seated between two passengers when the man next to her got down at his station and another person took his seat.

She alleged that the new passenger sat unusually close, leaving her cramped.

While she initially assumed the contact was accidental and tried to adjust her position, she soon felt the man’s hand pressing against her body and his leg placed against hers.

“At first I thought it could be by mistake, but it kept happening,” she said, adding that she realised the behaviour was intentional.

When her station arrived, the woman said she stood up and slapped the man inside the train and again on the platform after discovering that he was also getting down at the same station. She said the man appeared intoxicated and behaved erratically.

Metro security personnel intervened and escorted both individuals, after which the woman insisted on filing a police complaint.

She said she was later informed that the man had been riding the metro continuously for nearly an hour without getting down at any station and was allegedly drunk.

The woman also expressed anger over what she said was advice given to her by police, claiming she was told that she should move away if she sensed danger. “How would I know someone sitting next to me is a predator?” she said.

Police said they are examining the complaint and further action will be taken if additional evidence emerges.