Woman in ICU after verbal harassment

A 61-year-old woman landed up in ICU after suffering cardiac arrest allegedly due to harassment from a group of residents, who insulted her, at their apartment complex in Byappanahalli. Earlier, the woman, the wife of a Navy commander, while she was in the committee as a treasurer, had a scuffle with the other members, all retired defence officials in connection with misuse of funds in the society. She said that ever since that happened, she was being harassed regularly by the members.

Lalitha (name changed), 61, resident of JVT apartments, has filed a complaint with the Byappanahalli police on Wednesday against the accused, Sampath Gopal, retired Rear Admiral, Lahir S K, Air Vice Marshal, Radhakrishna, Lft Colonel and Harleen Venugopal. She alleged that the four along with other residents, were harassing her verbally. But despite taking the matter to the police, the harassment continued.

“In March, I had approached the police and gave an oral complaint following which the police warned Sampath. It only got worse after that, as every time I would go out to take a walk, they would call me names and abuse me. On one occasion, they even followed me. Following the regular harassment, I was admitted in an ICU due to cardiac arrest on May 13 and was discharged last Monday, after which I filed a written complaint with the police,” she said.

In March, I had approached the police and gave an oral complaint following which the police warned Mr Sampath. It only got worse after that–Victim

Earlier while she was part of the apartment owners association (AOA) as a treasurer, she had raised a few complaints against the members including the then president, Sampath, accusing them of misusing funds. She said, “The members had demolished the old gate of the entrance and had built a smaller gate. At that time, I had raised an issue as the gate was too small for the fire tenders to enter the premises in case of fire emergency.

Instead of worrying about the residents, they were sarcastic and quipped that residents would wear parachutes and jump from the buildings. However, after the matter was brought to the notice of the fire department, it was resolved. During our meetings, they would show no respect to me and would ask me to go away in front of everyone. They even created a board of inquiry and initiated disciplinary action against me.”

Byappanahalli police have registered a case under IPC section 509 (Verbally insulting the modesty of a woman) and 504.