Tanzanian woman assault: 4 more held, 2 cops suspended

Four more persons have been arrested and two police officials suspended in connection with the alleged assault and stripping of a Tanzanian student here that has triggered a nationwide outrage.

So far, nine persons have been arrested in the case. The incident took place on Sunday night when the 21-year old student went through an ordeal in a vigilante justice by an angry mob in a case of "mistaken identity" after a woman was mowed down by a car driven by a Sudanese here.

Inspector Pravin Babu and Constable Manjunath have been suspended, Bengaluru Police Commissioner N S Megharikh said.

“Babu has been suspended for dereliction of duty and Manjunath for not taking action even though he was present at the spot,” he added.

The four accused were arrested last night, Megharkh said and added that they have been booked for assault, unlawful assembly, arson, rioting and outraging a woman's modesty.

Megharikh said police have been interrogating the suspects and there are chances of arresting some more people. Asked whether one of the arrested is a member of BJP, Megharikh said, "He is a panchayat member."

A team from Delhi comprising the Tanzanian High Commissioner John W H Kijazi and External Affairs Ministry officials will meet the students here and get the assessment of the state government on the incident.

The Tanzanian woman was reportedly dragged out of the car in which she was seated along with her three friends when she reached the accident spot with the miscreants mistaking them to have caused the fatal accident though a Sudanese was involved in it, police said.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has denied that the Tanzanian woman was stripped and paraded naked, claiming that it was not a racial attack.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, who is under attack by BJP for being “silent”, said strict action will be taken in the alleged assault and stripping of a Tanzanian student in Bangalore that has triggered a nationwide outrage.

Gandhi said he told the Chief Minister that “strict action is to be taken and it will be taken”.

“I condemn 100 per cent this type of action,” the Congress Vice President told reporters, adding that he spoke to the party General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka to look into the matter and speak to the Chief Minister.