Bengaluru lecturers among three arrested for rape of college student

Bengaluru: Even before the shock of the incident in which a female student set herself on fire and died after no action was taken against a professor who sexually harassed her at FM College in Odisha had subsided, another disturbing news has emerged from Karnataka.Three men, including two lecturers from a private college in Bengaluru’s Moodabidri, have been arrested for allegedly raping a student on multiple occasions after luring her to the city under false pretences.

The action followed a complaint submitted by the survivor to the Karnataka State Women's Commission.

Police identified the accused as Narendra, a Physics lecturer, Sandeep, a Biology lecturer; and Anup, a friend of the two. According to officials, the first assault occurred when Narendra invited the student to Bengaluru on the pretext of giving her academic notes and allegedly raped her at a friend’s residence.

Later, Sandeep reportedly used a video of the survivor with Narendra to blackmail and assault her again. Anup is accused of threatening the student by claiming he had CCTV footage of her visit and went on to sexually assault her as well.

The incidents, believed to have taken place more than a month ago, came to light only after the student informed her family. A formal complaint was then submitted to the Women’s Commission.

Based on its recommendation, the Marathahalli Police registered an FIR and arrested all three.

According to the police, the investigation is ongoing, and further legal action will follow based on evidence and statements collected.