NCW seeks swift probe into Karnataka bus sexual harassment case

New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Wednesday said it has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged sexual harassment of college students inside a private bus operating on the Mangaluru-Vittal route in Karnataka. Expressing concern over the incident, the commission said its chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Karnataka DGP, seeking an immediate intervention to ensure a swift and impartial investigation into the case. "National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the reported incident of sexual harassment of female college students inside a private bus operating on the Mangaluru-“Vittal route in Karnataka," the Commission said in a post on X. "The Commission has expressed grave concern over the incident, which highlights serious issues relating to the safety of women commuters, the adequacy of security measures in public transport, and the need for stronger preventive mechanisms," it added. Rahatkar asked the Karnataka DGP to ensure expeditious filing of a comprehensive charge sheet under all applicable legal provisions and collection of all digital and circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage and statements of witnesses. She also sought a thorough safety audit of public and private buses and strict enforcement of CCTV installation, staff verification and display of women's emergency helpline numbers in buses. The chairperson further called for psychological counselling and necessary support for the affected students while ensuring their privacy. The commission sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the state police within seven days. The NCW said it will closely monitor the matter to ensure timely justice and accountability. According to media reports, the incident took place on July 9 inside a private bus operating on the Mangaluru-Vittal route in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district, where the conductor allegedly exposed himself, made obscene gestures and sexually harassed the students. PTI KSH MNK MNK