A 22-year-old delivery executive has been arrested in Bengaluru's Marathahalli after allegedly forcing his way into a woman's apartment and exposing himself. The incident, which has sparked massive safety concerns online, came to light after the survivor shared video footage of the confrontation.

Key Takeaways

  • A 22-year-old delivery executive, Vijay Mallikarjun Kamath, was arrested in Bengaluru for sexual harassment and trespassing.
  • The suspect allegedly forced his way into a woman's home under the pretext of using the washroom and then flashed her.
  • The survivor recorded the confrontation on her phone, leading to widespread outrage on social media and raising questions about gig-worker background checks.

In a deeply disturbing incident that has raised fresh safety concerns in India's tech hub, the Marathahalli police in Bengaluru have arrested a 22-year-old delivery executive. The suspect, identified as Vijay Mallikarjun Kamath, allegedly forced his way into a woman's apartment under the pretext of using the restroom and subsequently flashed her. The harrowing ordeal came to light after the survivor bravely shared video footage of her confronting the accused on social media, triggering widespread public outrage.

According to the police complaint, the delivery executive arrived at the woman's apartment to deliver a parcel and requested permission to use her washroom. Recognizing the potential safety risks of being alone, the woman declined his request and suggested he use a restroom in a neighboring house instead. However, the accused allegedly ignored her refusal, took off his footwear, and pushed his way into the flat as she desperately tried to close the door.

Believing the man might be facing a genuine medical emergency, the woman reluctantly allowed him to use the washroom attached to her bedroom. However, her empathy was met with a horrific violation of boundaries. After exiting the washroom, the delivery executive allegedly flashed at her, leaving the victim in a state of shock, humiliation, and extreme vulnerability within her own home.

Demonstrating immense presence of mind, the survivor immediately switched on her mobile phone camera to record the interaction, kept her apartment door wide open, and positioned herself near the exit to flee or call for help if needed. She confronted the suspect, threatening him with immediate police action. Intimidated by her stance, the accused fled the building using the staircase while the victim followed him towards the elevator, capturing his escape on video.

In her viral social media post, the survivor questioned whether e-commerce and logistics giants conduct rigorous background verifications on their delivery personnel, noting that the incident has left her deeply traumatized. Following the complaint, the Marathahalli police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, charging the accused under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 329(2) (criminal trespass).