A 26-year-old woman living in a rented apartment in Sanjay Nagar, Bengaluru, has accused her landlord’s brother of assaulting her while he was drunk. The woman, originally from West Bengal, alleged that the man verbally abused her, slapped her, choked her, and pinned her to the wall during a violent encounter on December 3.
The Incident Unfolds
According to the woman’s account, the assault occurred when she went to her apartment gate to collect a parcel. She claims the accused, identified as Manjunath Gowda, had been harassing her for several months before the incident. On the morning of December 3, Gowda allegedly approached her through the window, demanding she open the door and talk. When she refused, he reportedly became visibly upset.
Later that evening, while she was downstairs to hand over a parcel, the intoxicated Gowda allegedly confronted her, accusing her of showing attitude. “Who the hell are you to show me attitude while staying in my house?” he reportedly said. When she did not respond, the situation escalated into physical violence.
Assault and Attempts to Drag Her Into His House
The woman described how Gowda slapped her with full force, pulled her hair, and choked her on the staircase, banging her head against the wall until she blacked out. As she tried to escape, she alleges that he bit her finger and attempted to drag her into his house. In her complaint, the woman recounted, “I started screaming and ran towards my flat, but he followed me and continued hitting me more aggressively.”
Threats and Lewd Remarks
During the attack, Gowda allegedly made lewd and threatening remarks. “Come now, I will show you what I can do to you,” he allegedly said while exposing himself. He also reportedly threatened her, stating, “You talk too much; I will put this in your mouth.” Despite the assault, the woman managed to flee and sought help from a friend.
Friend’s Intervention and Recording of the Incident
The victim’s friend, who attempted to intervene, was also allegedly attacked and thrown down the stairs. Despite the physical aggression, the friend managed to record part of the incident, which later became crucial in supporting the woman’s case.
The following morning, Gowda reportedly peeped into the woman’s apartment through the window. When confronted, he allegedly verbally abused her again and threatened to force his way into her flat. He is said to have told the woman, “I will vanish you from this earth, and even the police won’t do anything to me,” claiming his family connections in law enforcement would protect him from any consequences.
Fears of Retaliation and Temporary Relocation
Fearing for her safety, the woman temporarily left her flat and moved in with a friend. She expressed growing concerns on social media, mentioning that random men on scooters had been loitering near her apartment, further escalating her anxiety. The woman also stated that she is seeking the recovery of her Rs 2 lakh deposit and justice, demanding accountability from her landlord and his brother.
Neighbours Offer Contrasting View
Neighbours, however, have painted a different picture. They reportedly said the woman often hosted late-night parties with loud music, which disturbed the peace in the building. Allegedly, the landlord had asked her to vacate the apartment three months ago due to these disturbances, but she continued to live there, asserting that she was paying rent.
Police Investigation and FIR
Following the woman’s complaint, Bengaluru police registered an FIR against Manjunath Gowda and arrested him. Authorities are now investigating the incident further, and the woman remains determined to see justice served. She hopes that both her assailant and the landlord will face the legal consequences of their actions.
The case continues to develop as police work to ensure the safety of the victim and hold those responsible accountable.
