Bengaluru Court Sentences Five Men to 14 Years for 2014 Assault Case

In a landmark decision, a Bengaluru sessions court has convicted five men for their involvement in the 2014 assault of a 23-year-old college student, handing down 14-year prison sentences. The verdict brings a sense of closure after nearly a decade since the distressing crime that shocked the community.

Details of the Crime and How It Unfolded

The incident took place on the night of July 10, 2014, when the victim and her male companion were sitting inside their car outside her residential complex in East Bengaluru. A gang of intruders approached the vehicle, forced their way inside, and abducted the couple. Initially, their intention was robbery, but the main perpetrator escalated the assault, taking the woman to a secluded location while holding her friend at knifepoint.

The culprits, identified as Nasir Hyder (37), Shafeeq Ahmed (36), Shoyeb Shaikh Ahmed (37), Mohammed Hafeez (42), and Mohammed Ishak (40), were convicted of multiple charges, including rape, kidnapping, dacoity, and criminal intimidation. Nasir Hyder, the leader of the group, posed as a plainclothes officer to deceive the victims, subsequently demanding a ransom of Rs 50,000.

Breakthrough in the Investigation and Pursuit of Justice

Initially, the victims refrained from filing a complaint due to fear. However, the case gained momentum when friends of the victim undertook their own investigation, eventually tracking down the suspects’ vehicle—a Skoda Fabia—parked near a gym in East Bengaluru. With assistance from the police, they confronted the main suspect outside the gym, leading to the suspects' identification and subsequent arrests.

Although the woman courageously came forward on July 14, 2014, local law enforcement initially did not register the case. It was only after the Bengaluru police commissioner was notified via formal correspondence that the case was officially filed on July 20, 2014. The delay in the response led to the suspension of the Pulakeshinagar police inspector for failing to address the situation appropriately.

Court Decision and Long-Awaited Justice

After spending close to four years in prison before being granted bail, the accused were re-arrested following the court’s conviction order. This decision reaffirms the determination of the judicial system to bring justice to victims and ensures that such serious crimes do not go unpunished.

The case stands as a stark reminder of the resilience and courage required by victims and their supporters to seek justice and the importance of prompt action in such grave matters. The court’s sentence marks a significant step toward accountability and sets a precedent for handling similar cases in Bengaluru and beyond.