Bengaluru: A head constable attached to Sanjaynagar police station was arrested for allegedly misbehaving with an 18-year-old college student on a BMTC bus near Kommagondanahalli stop Monday afternoon.The arrested policeman, Manjunath, 35, a resident of Jalahalli, filed a counter-complaint against the girl and four others for allegedly assaulting him following the incident.Manjunath, in his version of events, claimed he was under emotional stress following a fight with his wife, who on July 24 left for her hometown in Chitradurga district. The head constable, on his weekly off on July 27, went to a bar at 1.30pm and consumed alcohol. He boarded a BMTC bus from Gangamma Circle around 3pm to return home.Manjunath claimed after realising he had boarded the wrong bus, he decided to get down at Kommagondanahalli. Due to heavy rush of passengers boarding and alighting, there was jostling near the entrance. A girl who was on the bus slapped him, accusing him of misbehaving with her. The girl told police Manjunath touched her inappropriately and fell on her. Therefore, she slapped him.Based on the girl’s complaint, a case of sexual harassment was registered at Gangammanagudi police station and Manjunath was arrested.In his counter-complaint, Manjunath insisted he hadn’t behaved improperly. He alleged that the girl, along with another man, followed him and assaulted him with slippers before she called her relatives. Soon afterwards, 15 to 20 people gathered at the spot and attacked him with their hands, car keys and rings. He was punched, kicked, abused and pushed to the ground, sustaining injuries to his face, thighs, neck and back. They also tore his shirt during the assault, he claimed.The head constable, who was later rescued by Hoysala patrolling police personnel, sought legal action against those who allegedly assaulted him and defamed him by publicly beating him.Deputy commissioner of police (north-west) DL Nagesh said both cases are under investigation. A senior officer said it is not clear whether Manjunath deliberately fell on the girl or whether he lost balance as he was drunk.
