Hubballi: The National Commission for Women on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of the viral video from Karnataka showing a woman — purportedly a BJP worker — being disrobed during a police arrest. The Women’s panel has sought a report from the authorities within five days and clarify the sequence of events.
The chaotic arrest of the woman, identified as Sujata Handi in Hubballi, was caught on cam on bystanders’ mobile phones and shared widely on social media, triggering outrage and leading to conflicting claims and a sharp political face-off in the state.
Viral arrest clip sparks outrage, protest and inquiry
The incident occurred on Monday in the Keshwapur police station limits when police went to arrest Handi, identified by the BJP as a party worker, following complaints linked to a local clash during Special Intensive Revision (SIR) mapping work on January 1. The short video clip, which shows the woman in a distressed state during the arrest, spread rapidly through WhatsApp groups and social media platforms, triggering anger and unease across the city. By afternoon, the issue had spilled onto the streets.
In a twist, another video clip surfaced later, appearing to show the woman removing her clothes herself while being escorted to the police vehicle.
Political heat outside police station
BJP leaders and workers gathered outside Keshwapur Police Station, accusing the police of acting inhumanely and under political pressure. The protest escalated, leading to the preventive detention of several leaders, including Hubballi Mayor Jyoti Patil and Deputy Mayor Santosh Patil.
BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginakai demanded the immediate suspension of police officers involved before any inquiry, calling the incident a serious abuse of authority.
Hubballi Police reject allegations
Police officials have denied wrongdoing. Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar said woman constables did not disrobe the accused and claimed that she resisted arrest, attacked police personnel and removed her clothes herself after entering the police van.
According to police, four woman constables were assaulted during the incident, with one allegedly bitten on the stomach. Officials said clothes were later arranged with the help of local residents to cover her. Sujata was later remanded in judicial custody.
Police have also pointed out that multiple cases, including assault complaints, have been registered against her in the past. The authorities, however, said that their inquiry would examine the circulation of video footage and whether clips were selectively shared.
With competing claims and stark visuals still doing the rounds, the incident has left Hubballi tense and the police action in the spotlight.