Armed men threaten woman at UB City junction

Demand withdrawal of POCSO case she had filed against a taxi driver

Four men threatened a 34-year-old entrepreneur at knife-point at UB City Junction demanding that she withdraw a case filed against a taxi driver who had allegedly molested a 10-year-old girl on May 24.

Sunitha Sharma, along with the girl, was walking from the police station to her house on Lavelle Road on Tuesday evening, after recording her statement, when she was surrounded by the men.

Ms. Sharma shouted for help, which drew the attention of passers-by who managed to catch one of the accused, who has been detained by the police.

According to the police, the girl’s mother worked for Ms. Sharma’s elderly mother. The girl was orphaned after her mother passed away recently. Ms. Sharma’s mother, who also lives on Lavelle Road, stepped in to take care of the girl and enrolled her in a private school.

In her complaint to the police, Ms. Sharma said that the victim was living with her mother when she was sexually assaulted by Narotham Kumar, a cab driver known to the family. She was allegedly assaulted in her mother’s flat, but was able to escape and ran to Ms. Sharma’s house seeking help.

She took the girl to Bowring hospital and later filed a complaint with the Cubbon Park police who arrested Narotham Kumar under the POCSO Act and remanded him in judicial custody. A senior police officer said, “Our investigation revealed that he is a habitual offender from Soladevanahalli. He used to visit Ms. Sharma's mother’s house under the pretext of helping her.”

On Tuesday evening, four men surrounded Ms. Sharma and threatened to kill her if she did not withdraw the complaint.

“I am scared for the safety of my family . The victim is now being admitted to a hostel near her school to ensure her safety,” said Ms. Sharma.

Based on her complaint, the Cubbon Park police have taken up a case of sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation against the accused.