‘Kissed, Forced Me to Undress’: Bengaluru Dermatologist Arrested for Sexually Harassing 21-Year-Old Patient
‘Kissed, Forced Me to Undress’: Bengaluru Dermatologist Arrested for Sexually Harassing 21-Year-Old Patient
A 56-year-old dermatologist from Bengaluru has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a young woman during a medical consultation at his private clinic. The shocking incident has left locals furious, with many demanding strict action against the accused doctor.
What Happened During the Consultation
The incident took place on the evening of October 18 at around 7:30 pm when the 21-year-old woman visited the clinic of Dr. Praveen for treatment of a skin infection. According to the complaint, the doctor misused the consultation to behave inappropriately with her under the pretext of a medical examination.
The woman said that Dr. Praveen forced her to undress, claiming it was necessary to examine her skin. He then allegedly hugged her, touched her inappropriately, and kissed her several times, ignoring her repeated objections.
Victim’s Complaint Details
In her complaint to the Ashok Nagar Police Station, the woman stated that the harassment went on for nearly 30 minutes. “He spoke to me for about 30 minutes, hugged me under the pretext of conversation, and touched me inappropriately,” the victim said in her statement.
The complaint further mentioned that Dr. Praveen made indecent gestures and even suggested that they meet later in a hotel room. The victim added that she usually visited the clinic with her father, but since he was busy that day, she had gone alone. “Taking advantage of this situation, the doctor harassed me,” she said in her First Information Report (FIR), as quoted by PTI.
Family Lodges Complaint, Doctor Arrested
After the incident, the woman immediately informed her family about what had happened. Her family members rushed to the clinic and later filed a police complaint. Based on her statement, police registered a case against Dr. Praveen under Sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The accused was arrested soon after and taken into custody for questioning. Police said an investigation is ongoing to gather more evidence and verify the victim’s account.
Public Anger and Protests Outside the Clinic
Following Dr. Praveen’s arrest, local residents and the victim’s family gathered outside his clinic to protest. They demanded severe punishment, calling for stronger action to prevent such incidents in the future. Many protesters held placards urging the government to tighten safety rules in private clinics.
Police have increased security in the area and assured that the matter will be handled with full seriousness.
