BJP woman functionary alleges police disrobed her during arrest, cops deny

A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after a BJP woman functionary alleged that police personnel disrobed her during her arrest in connection with an attack on government officials, a claim strongly denied by the police.

The police said the woman removed her clothes on her own and allegedly assaulted officers, leaving some with bite injuries. A video showing the woman in a topless state has since gone viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage and political backlash across the state.

Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar on Wednesday (January 7) dismissed the allegations, claiming the woman not only disrobed herself but also bit four police officers, including two sub-inspectors, in their abdomen.

Arrest for illegal encroachment

According to sources, there was some encroachment of government land. To clear it, revenue officials had gone there with policemen and they were attacked by the alleged illegal occupants.

A case was registered in this connection and the woman was a key accused. When a police team went to pick her up, she resisted arrest, they claimed.

The police team overpowered her and bundled her inside the police vehicle.

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Videos of the woman emerged showing her topless. She alleged the police team disrobed her.

Refuting the charge, Shashikumar explained the chronology of the events to reporters.

He said in Chalukya Nagar area of Keshwapur in Hubballi, when government officers went for the land survey, people picked up a quarrel with them and attacked them.

In this connection three separate cases were registered and the police.

In one of the cases, the investigating officer decided to arrest one of the women involved in the offence.

Police reject disrobing allegation

While effecting the arrest, the Investigating Officer had shown utmost restraint and precaution. He had taken about 8-10 women officers and staff, knowing very well that there is a possibility of some "nuisance" happening, Shashikumar said.

"In spite of that, when she was taken inside the police vehicle, she unclothed herself. Our women officers and staff who were present in the spot took the assistance of local people and got a separate dress for her," the officer said.

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He added that the police repeatedly requested her to wear another cloth.

"So the accusation against the police is absolutely false, and it is with all bad intentions. I have verified the sequence of events," Shashikumar said.

He said he has still asked the Deputy Commissioner of Police to conduct a thorough inquiry into the whole sequence of events from January 1 to 5.

Woman in judicial custody

Shashikumar said the woman has about nine cases pending against her. She has been sent to judicial custody.

Four women police officers got injured in the melee, he said.

"Two were very badly injured because she bit them in their abdomen, and two others have also sustained some injuries. And three, four of our male staff also have sustained some injuries. But they thought, you know, it's part of our job. Why to complain?" Shashikumar said.

"Men officers and staff have not given any complaint, but lady officers, two of them are very badly injured and have filed a complaint," he added.

(With agency inputs)