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25 Jan 20206
In a city already grappling with urban pressures—from traffic gridlock to rapid population growth—Bengaluru has been shaken by yet another incident that strikes at the core of public safety and institutional integrity. On January 24, 2026, a 30-year-old police constable on duty at Freedom Park was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually harassing a 16-year-old first-year pre-university student.
The victim, a minor boy according to multiple reports, approached the Upparpet police station to lodge a complaint detailing inappropriate touching and harassment by the officer, who was deployed at the popular public park in central Bengaluru.
The arrest came swiftly after the FIR was registered, with the constable—reportedly named Yamuna Nayak in some accounts and linked to stations like RT Nagar or Upparpet—taken into custody. Freedom Park, a historic venue managed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and often used for leisure, protests, and community events, became the unlikely site of this alleged violation.
The incident has ignited widespread public outrage, with social media users and citizens questioning how an on-duty law enforcer could exploit a vulnerable minor in a space meant for protection and recreation.
This case is not isolated. It underscores a troubling pattern of rare but highly damaging breaches within the police force, where officers abuse their authority—particularly when victims seek help or are in public spaces. The POCSO Act’s stringent provisions ensure severe penalties, and the ongoing investigation will likely scrutinize evidence such as witness statements, potential CCTV from the park, and departmental records.
Notable POCSO and Sexual Harassment Cases Involving Bengaluru Police Personnel (2021–2026)
While POCSO cases in Karnataka have surged significantly (from around 2,197 in 2019 to over 4,000 by late 2025), instances involving police officers remain a small but alarming subset.
Below is a compiled overview of publicly reported cases where Bengaluru police personnel faced arrest or charges under POCSO or related sexual offence laws against minors in the past five years.
These draw from media coverage, as no exhaustive official public list exists for police-specific incidents.
| Year | Date/Period | Accused (Rank/Details) | Location/Station Involved | Allegation Summary | Status/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | July 2022 | Police Constable (named Arun in reports) | Bengaluru (unspecified) | Allegedly raped a 17-year-old girl who had run away from home; exploited her under pretext of help | Arrested under POCSO Act |
| 2023 | August 2023 | Retired Sub-Inspector (74-year-old ex-cop) | Bengaluru | Allegedly raped a 7-year-old girl | Arrested; POCSO charges applied |
| 2025 | February 2025 | Police Constable (Bommanahalli station, late 30s) | Bommanahalli Police Station | Allegedly raped a ~17-year-old minor girl who approached police after prior assault by neighbor; took her to hotel | Arrested; POCSO and related charges |
| 2026 | January 2026 | Police Constable (30-year-old, Yamuna Nayak) | Freedom Park / Upparpet / RT Nagar | Allegedly sexually harassed/inappropriately touched a 16-year-old first-year PU student (minor boy) while on duty | Arrested under POCSO Act; in custody; investigation ongoing |
These cases, though infrequent relative to overall POCSO filings, carry outsized impact due to the perpetrators’ roles as protectors of society. Common threads include abuse of position (e.g., exploiting victims seeking assistance or while on patrol), involvement of teenage minors, and prompt arrests following complaints.
Each has prompted calls for greater internal vigilance, mandatory training on child protection, and stricter monitoring of on-duty conduct.Broader Implications for Bengaluru’s Safety LandscapeBengaluru’s challenges extend beyond traffic woes and high living costs; incidents like this erode faith in institutions at a time when the city hosts millions of young professionals, students, and families. With a metro population nearing 14.5 million and a dominant IT workforce, public spaces must remain secure—especially for minors.Authorities have emphasized zero tolerance, with the Bengaluru police assuring a thorough probe in the Freedom Park case.
Yet, recurring reports highlight the need for systemic reforms: enhanced background checks, regular sensitivity training under POCSO guidelines, body cameras for on-duty personnel, and faster grievance redressal for vulnerable groups.As Bengaluru evolves as India’s tech capital, restoring trust in law enforcement is essential.
This arrest serves as a wake-up call—public safety demands not just enforcement, but unwavering accountability from those entrusted to uphold it.Technocrat Magazine will continue monitoring developments in this case and related accountability measures. Readers are encouraged to stay vigilant and report concerns promptly. Justice for the victim must be swift and exemplary.
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