Bengaluru: A retired school headmaster has surrendered before the police in connection with a sexual harassment case at the Lulu Mall in Bengaluru, India. The accused, identified as Ashwath Narayana (60), was arrested on Saturday after police received a complaint from a woman who alleged that he had touched her inappropriately while she was shopping at the mall.
According to the police, CCTV footage from the mall shows Narayana approaching several women and touching them inappropriately. He is also seen following some of the women around the mall. Police say that Narayana used to spend the weekends at the mall and target young girls and women, taking advantage of the crowd.
Modus Operandi
Narayana’s modus operandi was to approach women from behind and touch them on their buttocks or breasts. He would then quickly walk away, pretending as if nothing had happened. Some of the women who were harassed by Narayana reported that he would also make lewd comments to them.
Arrest and Investigation
After receiving the complaint from the woman, police immediately launched an investigation and identified Narayana as the suspect. He was arrested from his residence in Basaveshwara Nagar on Saturday.
During interrogation, Narayana confessed to the crime and said that he had been harassing women at malls for several months. He said that he enjoyed the thrill of getting away with it.
More Victims Come Forward
Since Narayana’s arrest, several other women have come forward to allege that they have also been harassed by him. Police say that they are investigating all of the complaints and that Narayana is likely to face charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sexual harassment, assault, and stalking.
Public Outrage
The incident at Lulu Mall has sparked outrage among residents of Bengaluru. Many people have taken to social media to express their anger and demand that Narayana be punished severely.
“This is absolutely disgusting,” wrote one social media user. “How can a man get away with harassing women in public? The police need to take this case seriously and make sure that he is punished for what he has done.”
“I am so angry to hear about this incident,” wrote another social media user. “I will never go to Lulu Mall again. I don’t feel safe there.”
Mall Management’s Response
Mall management has issued a statement condemning the incident and expressing their support for the victims. They have also said that they are working with the police to investigate the matter and take necessary action.
“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the incident that took place at our mall,” said a mall spokesperson. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment and any other form of misconduct. We are working closely with the police to investigate this matter and take necessary action. We also want to assure our customers that we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone.”
The sexual harassment incident at Lulu Mall is a reminder that women are not safe, even in public places. It is also a reminder that perpetrators of such crimes need to be held accountable. We hope that Narayana is punished severely for his crimes and that this incident serves as a deterrent to others who might be thinking of harassing women.
