The Chikkamagaluru police in Karnataka Wednesday arrested a man who allegedly stripped and brutally assaulted a 25-year-old schoolteacher while she was returning home after work. The woman, who suffered multiple injuries in the attack, was shifted to a government hospital in Shivamogga where her condition is said to be stable.
Officers identified the accused as Bhavith, 24, a labourer. He will be produced in court on Wednesday.
The assault took place on Tuesday in the limits of the Jayapura police station in Koppa taluk. According to the police, the woman, who works at a government school on a contract basis, was on her way home around 5 pm when she was attacked by the accused.
Hearing her screams, villagers rushed to rescue the woman. However, by then, the man had fled after stuffing mud in her mouth, officers said. Following the incident, the local police registered a case.
The police said the accused lived in Balur village, which is near the woman’s place, and was known to her. An officer associated with the investigation said, “Bhavith had proposed to the woman earlier but she had turned him down. However, he continued to pester her and the woman refused his advances. Enraged by the repeated rejection, he attacked her. He is currently in police custody. Further probe is underway into the matter.”
The woman’s brother, who rushed to the hospital on learning about the incident, said she sustained head injuries in the attack. A police officer stated, “She is out of danger, but the treatment is continuing.”