Overview
- Pradeep Kashappa Naikar, a KSRTC bus conductor, was arrested by Konaje police for allegedly sexually harassing a sleeping woman passenger on a Mudipu–State Bank route bus.
- The arrest was prompted by a viral video recorded by a fellow passenger showing Naikar's alleged misconduct, which led to widespread outrage online.
- Naikar has been charged under Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, addressing assault to outrage modesty and sexual harassment, and is in 15 days of judicial custody.
- KSRTC has suspended Naikar pending a disciplinary inquiry, with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy urging expedited proceedings and dismissal from service.
- Authorities continue their investigation into the incident, which has heightened scrutiny of passenger safety on Karnataka's state-run buses.