College Student Escapes Attempted Assault After Intruders Enter Cab in Bengaluru

A 24-year-old college student faced a terrifying ordeal in the early hours of Monday when two men forcefully entered her cab and attempted to assault her in East Bengaluru. The assailants fled when local residents intervened, preventing a worse outcome.

Shocking Incident Unfolds in Bengaluru

The victim, an undergraduate student living in Kammanahalli, reported that the incident occurred between 2 AM and 3 AM. She had booked a cab to pick up a friend from Whitefield and was seated in the vehicle when two unidentified men suddenly tried to enter the backseat.

Startled, she resisted, and the cab driver—who had no connection to the men—attempted to stop them. Realizing the danger, she quickly exited the cab and ran towards her home. However, one of the intruders pursued her, grabbed her by the neck, and physically assaulted her. When she tried to break free, he struck her, knocked her to the ground, and attempted to remove her clothing.

Brave Escape and Timely Intervention

While the driver struggled with the second attacker, the young woman’s cries for help alerted nearby residents, who rushed to the scene. Their presence forced the culprits to flee.

The student immediately called emergency helpline 112, prompting a Hoysala patrol vehicle to arrive at the location. Due to an exam scheduled later that morning, she filed a formal complaint with the police after completing her test.

Police Investigation Underway

Authorities have registered a case under BNS Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty) and 75 (sexual harassment). The victim described the suspects as being in their late 20s or 30s. With no CCTV cameras in the immediate vicinity, police are now reviewing footage from nearby areas to track down the attackers.

Similar Attacks Raise Safety Concerns

This is not the first such incident in the city. In August 2023, a 26-year-old software professional from Nagaland faced a similar attack near Lingarajpuram. Around 3:30 AM, a youth armed with a machete stopped her office cab, assaulted her, and attempted to strip her. She managed to escape and took shelter in a nearby house. The homeowner who helped her suffered serious injuries while defending her.

The attacker, an 18-year-old, was arrested months later.

Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of safety precautions while traveling at night and urge residents to report suspicious activities to law enforcement.