Kerala student alleges sexual assault in Bengaluru; says cops misbehaved, asked if she was ‘virgin’

Bengaluru: A Malayali student has alleged that she was sexually assaulted in Bengaluru by a man from Kerala’s Wayanad district.

Police have registered a case against Haines, a native of Sulthan Bathery, following the complaint by the 20-year-old student.

The incident allegedly took place on May 12 at the residence of the victim’s friends in Bengaluru. The student, who is pursuing her studies in the city, was also working part-time at a cafe run by her friends. According to the complaint, Haines arrived at the accommodation near the cafe while the girl was resting due to illness. She alleged that he entered the room after her friends stepped out and sexually assaulted her.

The survivor further alleged that despite approaching the Madiwala police station the very next day, the police initially refused to register a case. She accused officers of discouraging her from filing the complaint and humiliating her during questioning.

According to the victim, Haines had earlier helped her friends find a space to start the cafe and had extended other assistance. After the cafe began incurring losses, the group decided to sell it and reportedly sought Haines’ help in the matter. He had allegedly come to the residence on May 12 to discuss issues related to the cafe.

Speaking about her experience at the police station, the student alleged that police officers failed to provide support and did not arrange for a female officer to record her statement. She also claimed that despite expressing willingness to undergo a medical examination, the police refused to facilitate it.

“They questioned my character and even asked whether I was a virgin,” the survivor alleged, naming a police officer identified as Arun. She further claimed that officers told her a medical examination could not be conducted.

The victim and her friends also alleged that Haines, along with a group of men, threatened them both at the police station and later at their residence. They claimed visuals of the threats had been recorded and released.

According to them, after reaching the Madiwala police station on the morning of May 13 to file the complaint, they were made to remain there until midnight. During this period, Haines allegedly arrived at the station along with a local gangster and threatened to kill them if they pursued the case. The survivor alleged that police also pressured them not to proceed with the complaint and forced them to submit a written statement saying they had no complaint.

The accused later allegedly came to their residence with a group of men, threatened them again and physically assaulted them, causing injuries.

After the Madiwala police allegedly failed to act, the victim and her friends approached the Bengaluru North East Deputy Commissioner of Police on May 18. Following the DCP’s intervention, an FIR was finally registered in the case on May 18. However, the accused has not yet been arrested.