Karnataka BJP worker says cops disrobed, assaulted her during arrest; Hubballi police deny allegations as party seeks action

The police said that three First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against Handi, and the arrest was made after Prashanth Bommaji, a local resident, filed a complaint against her.

Dismissing her allegations, N Shashikumar, Commissioner, Hubballi-Dharwad, said, “A survey was being conducted by government officials on January 1, and the woman in question quarrelled and assaulted and also fought with the neighbours in the locality over the issue.”

Shashikumar said that as part of the probe, the investigating officer went to arrest Handi with eight to 10 women officers on Monday, but when she was being taken to the police van, she removed her clothes. He added that the women officers present at the scene sought assistance from local residents to procure another set of clothes for her, and repeatedly requested that she dress herself.

During the arrest, four women police officers sustained injuries in the violent confrontation, he added.

Shashikumar said he has ordered an inquiry into the events that took place between January 1 and Monday (January 5). The commissioner added that the woman, who has nine pending cases, has been remanded in judicial custody.

“She bit one of the woman police officers, and other officers were injured. Another case has been filed by the police based on the complaint filed by a woman police officer for obstructing officers from discharging their duty and assaulting them,” the commissioner said.

The BJP alleged that the police treated Handi in an inhuman manner. Party legislator C T Ravi said, “It is not just a violation of human rights but an atrocity against a woman. I demand that the government take action against the police for treating Sujatha inhumanly.”

Local BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginakai also accused the police of acting inhumanly at the behest of Congress councillor Suvarna Kallakuntla.