Bengaluru: A 20-year-old undergraduate student has accused her 60-year-old apartment owner of sexually harassing her during a visit to her flat in Langford Town recently.According to the complaint filed by Manya (name changed), the man forcibly hugged her, kissed on cheeks and touched her inappropriately despite her attempts to move away and resist his advances.Manya has been living on the second floor of the apartment on Berlie Street for 2.5 months. The accused, Kamalesh Kumar visited her flat around 6.30pm on Aug 15 to inspect pending repair work.Kumar enquired her about her college and then held her hand, pretending to examine the mehendi on it. When she attempted to pull her hand away, he allegedly pulled her towards him and hugged her. He then kissed her and groped her.Manya told police that Kumar then left the apartment, asking her to inform him whenever she had 10–15 minutes of free time. She alleged that he also told her that he liked her and wanted to be around her.Ashok Nagar police have registered a case under Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 75 (sexual harassment) of the BNS.A senior officer said the accused was questioned as part of the investigation, and a notice was served on him for further inquiry. Kumar, however, told police that the allegations were false and claimed that Manya had made them after he questioned her about defaulting on rent payments.
