Police accused of disrobing woman during arrest in Hubballi, action sought after video goes viral

The claim by a woman, reportedly a BJP worker, of being disrobed while being arrested in Hubballi has led to widespread outrage in Karnataka after a video clip of the incident went viral on social media.

The alleged incident took place in Keshwapur Police Station limits when police went to arrest the woman based on complaints of local residents in connection with a clash that reportedly took place during the mapping for SIR on January 1.

On January 7, Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar clarified that the woman constables had not disrobed the woman during the arrest. He stated that the woman, Sujata alias Vinayalaxmi Handi, had attacked the woman constables and had removed her clothes on her own after getting into the police van. In response, the woman constables, with the help of localities, brought clothes to cover her, he said.

He added that Sujata attacked four constables during the incident, and she had bitten one of them in the stomach.

Mr. Shashikumar said three cases had been registered against Sujata for assault by residents of her locality. The alleged incident took place on January 5 when the police went to arrest her on the complaint of Prashanth Bommaji for assault. Sujata has been remanded in judicial custody, he said.

BJP demands action against police

Taking exception to the incident, BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginakai has accused the police of acting inhumanly at the behest of Congress councillor Suvarna Kallakuntla.

He has demanded immediate suspension of all the police officers responsible before initiating an inquiry into the incident.