Bengaluru, India’s fast-growing technology hub, has once again witnessed alarming incidents of crime within co-living and paying guest (PG) accommodations. Police reports confirm that two separate cases of sexual assault and extortion attempts have come to light in the city over the past few weeks, raising serious concerns over the safety of women residing in such facilities.
First case: Bank employee attacked and blackmailed
In the first incident, a 24-year-old woman employed at a private bank was allegedly attacked inside her PG accommodation. According to her police complaint, the accused, identified as Saibabu Chennuru, had recently befriended her before forcefully entering her room around 3 am. Reports state that he stabbed her in the back with a knife, took objectionable photos, and attempted to coerce her into sexual activity by threatening her life.
The victim further alleged that the man demanded ₹70,000 and forcibly transferred ₹14,000 from her phone to his own account. He also threatened to circulate her photographs online if she revealed the incident to anyone.
Following her complaint, the police arrested the accused and began investigating whether he had been involved in similar crimes previously.
Second case: Unidentified man breaks into PG facility
The shocking case was followed by another incident in Bengaluru, highlighting the recurring threat to women’s safety in such accommodations. On August 29, an intruder entered a women’s PG facility late at night. CCTV footage revealed that he locked all the rooms on the floor from the outside before targeting a specific room where a 23-year-old woman was sleeping.
According to police reports, the man sexually harassed her, touched her inappropriately, and when she resisted, threatened her with a knife. He scratched her legs with his nails and assaulted her before stealing ₹2,500 cash from her cupboard.
The accused, later identified as Naresh Pattam, 30, was traced using CCTV evidence and arrested two days after the incident. A resident of Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh, he had previously worked as a bike-taxi driver in Bengaluru. Police revealed that Pattam had earlier been arrested in two separate robbery cases in his hometown in 2021 and had only recently been released on bail.
Rising concerns over women’s safety in Bengaluru
Both incidents have sparked renewed concerns over the safety of women residing in Bengaluru’s ever-expanding PG accommodations. With thousands of students and working professionals migrating to the city each year, co-living spaces have become a popular choice. However, the repeated occurrence of such crimes is raising questions about the adequacy of security in these facilities.
Women’s rights activists argue that PG operators must be held accountable for maintaining stricter security protocols, including background checks for employees, round-the-clock monitoring, and immediate access to emergency support. Police have also advised PG owners to install high-quality CCTV systems and ensure regular security audits.
Police response and investigation
Law enforcement agencies have confirmed that both accused individuals have been arrested and remain under judicial custody as investigations continue. Officials are also probing whether the suspects were involved in other unsolved cases in Bengaluru and neighboring states.
Senior police officers stated that they are working closely with PG operators to improve safety measures and ensure that residents are informed about emergency helplines. They urged women to report suspicious behavior without hesitation, assuring that swift action will be taken against offenders.
Community reaction and next steps
The twin cases have triggered outrage on social media, with many users demanding stricter laws and faster trials in crimes against women. Residents of the affected PG facilities have also voiced concerns about the lack of immediate security support during emergencies.
Experts believe that while Bengaluru continues to attract young professionals from across the country, ensuring women’s safety in PG facilities must remain a priority. Without effective interventions, such crimes risk undermining the trust of residents and their families.
The two recent incidents in Bengaluru underline the urgent need for stronger security measures in PG facilities and stricter monitoring by authorities. While both accused have been apprehended, the recurring nature of such crimes highlights a deeper issue of vulnerability faced by women living alone in urban accommodations.
As Bengaluru continues to grow as a metropolitan hub, safety cannot remain an afterthought. Enhanced surveillance, better law enforcement coordination, and community vigilance are essential to prevent such shocking incidents in the future.
