A 32-year-old attendant in a Bengaluru NGO that works with differently-abled people was arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 20-year-old woman on the office premises last Thursday. The victim, who also works at the NGO, is differently-abled.
Vadivelu was arrested by the J.P. Nagar police based on a complaint filed by the director of the NGO. He was, however, released on bail as the victim’s parents refused to give a statement on their daughter’s behalf.
According to the police, the NGO, which looks after differently-abled people and destitute children, had asked Vadivelu to paint one of the office rooms. While he was working, the victim along with her friend offered him buttermilk. Vadivelu allegedly asked the young woman to stay back and sent her friend away. It was later learned that he took her to the kitchen and switched off the lights and reportedly sexually assaulted her.
“A few minutes later, his colleague Gayathri, who is part of the NGO’s housekeeping staff, went to clean the kitchen but Vadivelu instructed her to clean the first floor of the office. After 15 minutes, when the housekeeper returned to the kitchen, she saw the victim adjusting her clothes and Vadivelu was shouting at her to keep quiet. Sensing something amiss, Gayathri informed the management about the incident,” said the complainant.
Suspended
The next day, the management summoned Vadivelu, questioned him about the incident, and suspended him after confirming that the victim had been sexually assaulted. The NGO informed the victim’s parents about the incident and asked her mother to lodge a police complaint, but the victim’s mother refused to do so.
The J.P. Nagar police are now trying to convince the parents to give their statement and allow the victim to undergo medical examination.
