BENGALURU: K.R. Puram police have arrested seven people, who allegedly sexually harassed and verbally abused a group of women pourakarmikas. The main accused in the case, BBMP contractors Nagesh and Nadeesh, are missing.
The arrested have been identified as Akshay, Issak, Venkatesh, Ayyappa, Rajesh, Abdul Aleem and Rafeek. Nagesh had taken a contract to dispose of waste in KR Puram, Devasandra and Basavanapura wards and about 35 women were working for him.
It was alleged that a week ago, the contractor and the PKs quarrelled over wages and the workers tried to file a complaint, but the KR Puram police refused to register it. On Thursday afternoon, some women PKs gathered at Diesel Loco Shed Road in KR Puram to register their attendance. Meanwhile, contractor Nagesh, who went there, allegedly abused the women who were made allegations against him and also threatened them with an iron rod. He allegedly told the women that he would rape and murder them and asked two of his associates to rape them.
“He stripped his pant and made obscene gesture at the women and also allegedly assaulted some of them. When the women tried to lodge a complaint, police initially refused. Only after we intervened, an FIR was registered,” said BBMP Guttige Powrakarmika Sanghatane, in a press release. Police are looking for the main accused, contractors Nagesh and Nadeesh who are absconding.
