Incident at K R Puram raises concerns over assault on on‑duty officer
Bengaluru: Four men have been booked after a 33‑year‑old woman police sub‑inspector (PSI) attached to the K R Puram Traffic Police Station was allegedly assaulted, body‑shamed and threatened while on duty on August 12, the city police said on Sunday.
According to the FIR and police statements reported by PTI, the episode began when the PSI intervened in a traffic‑related quarrel between a man who identified himself as an advocate and a constable. The man, named in the FIR as Hemant Reddy, is accused of initiating a confrontation with the PSI after she questioned him.
Police allege that Hemant held and pulled the officer’s hands, causing injuries, and that colleagues on duty stepped in to assist. The FIR further states that Hemant then called a friend, Rahul, who allegedly restrained and assaulted the PSI, injuring a finger. As the PSI sought assistance and asked an assistant sub‑inspector to contact the emergency helpline 112, more family members of Hemant — including his brother Harshith and father Radhakrishna — reportedly arrived and verbally abused and threatened the officer.
“She alleged the accused body‑shamed and abused her, making derogatory remarks about her appearance and using obscene and insulting language,” the FIR said, according to police reporting.
Charges, immediate response and investigation
Police said an FIR was registered following the complaint, listing offences related to physical assault, intimidation and offensive behaviour. No independent confirmation has been made available regarding the professional status of Hemant Reddy as an advocate beyond the claim reportedly made by him at the scene.
The traffic police unit at K R Puram, a busy artery on Bengaluru’s eastern periphery, was the location of the incident. Such confrontations on busy thoroughfares can escalate rapidly, and the involvement of on‑duty officers in physical scuffles raises questions about officer safety and public conduct during enforcement duties.
- When: August 12 (date of incident as per FIR)
- Where: K R Puram Traffic Police Station jurisdiction, Bengaluru
- Who: A 33‑year‑old woman PSI and four accused named in the FIR — Hemant Reddy, Rahul, Harshith and Radhakrishna
- Allegations: Physical assault, injury to the PSI’s hand and finger, threats, abuse and body‑shaming
| Accused | Alleged role |
|---|---|
| Hemant Reddy | Initiated quarrel, allegedly held and pulled PSI’s hands, caused injuries |
| Rahul | Called to the scene, allegedly pulled and assaulted PSI causing finger injury |
| Harshith | Arrived later, allegedly abused and threatened the officer |
| Radhakrishna | Father of Hemant; allegedly abused and threatened the officer |
Context and wider implications
Incidents involving assault on on‑duty police officers are treated seriously by Karnataka police and can attract multiple criminal provisions, including those addressing obstruction of duty, assault and use of abusive language. Beyond criminal liability, the event brings into focus issues of gender‑sensitive behaviour toward women in uniform and the pressures faced by traffic enforcement personnel working in densely populated city corridors.
Bengaluru’s traffic policing faces daily challenges — high vehicle density, frequent confrontations over enforcement actions and often emotionally charged exchanges. Officers also report instances of verbal abuse and resistance when carrying out duty; when such encounters become physical, they risk not only injury to personnel but also disruptions to traffic management and public safety.
Police said the incident is under investigation and added that the FIR lists the allegations as recorded by the PSI. Further action, including possible arrests or chargesheets, will depend on the ongoing probe and evidence such as CCTV footage and witness statements.
Local residents and commuters in K R Puram, which links several suburbs to central Bengaluru, frequently encounter traffic bottlenecks; authorities say cooperation between the public and enforcement personnel is important to avoid escalation. Meanwhile, women officers and advocacy groups have increasingly sought stronger institutional safeguards and awareness programmes to prevent harassment of women in uniform.
As the probe proceeds, authorities are likely to examine the sequence of events and the conduct of all parties involved, including whether any additional legal provisions apply to verbal abuse amounting to sexual or gender‑based harassment. The police have not issued further comment beyond the FIR details released to media outlets, PTI reported.
Reporting source: PTI, FIR and police statements as cited in media reports.
