A woman associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Karnataka Police of stripping and assaulting her during an arrest in Hubballi, triggering a sharp political confrontation between the BJP and the ruling Congress. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Keshwapur Police Station and has drawn attention after a video surfaced on social media.

The footage shows the woman activist surrounded by male and female police personnel inside a bus, prompting the BJP to allege that excessive force was used and that her clothes were torn during custody. The activist has been identified as Sujatha Handi, also known as Vijayalakshmi.

BJP leaders condemned the incident, calling the police action “inhuman and politically motivated,” and demanded strict action against the officers involved. They alleged that the arrest was linked to political rivalry and targeted harassment.

The police, however, have categorically denied the allegations. Hubballi–Dharwad Police Commissioner Shashi Kumar said the episode was being misrepresented and that the police followed due process.

Local Dispute Escalated Into Violence: Police

“There were differences among local residents, leading to a scuffle. A large crowd gathered, arguments broke out, and the situation escalated into physical assault,” Kumar said, explaining the background of the incident.

According to the police, the situation arose during a survey conducted by authorised officials in Chalukya Nagar. Disagreements among residents escalated, resulting in multiple complaints. Based on these events, three separate cases were registered.

On January 5, Sujatha was taken into custody following a complaint filed by a local resident accusing her of attempted murder. “She had allegedly brutally attacked another person,” the Commissioner said.

The police claim that the arrest process was disrupted by resistance from the activist and her associates. “During the arrest, she, along with people associated with her, strongly resisted the police. In that process, one of our sub-inspectors and three to four police personnel were seriously assaulted and obstructed from performing their official duties,” Kumar said, adding that a separate case was registered against her for these actions.

Addressing the viral video and allegations of stripping, Kumar rejected the claims outright. “While she was being taken to the vehicle, she was wearing her clothes. After being taken inside the vehicle, she removed her clothes herself and threw them away,” he said.

Police Brought her Clothes

He further stated that police personnel acted responsibly. “It was our police staff, particularly women staff, who brought her clothes, taking assistance from the local people, and made her wear that.”

“The allegation that the police misbehaved with her is completely false,” the Commissioner added.

Police officials also pointed to Sujatha’s alleged criminal history. Kumar said that she has multiple cases registered against her. “She has about nine cases against her—five from previous years and four this year, including three cases filed by the public and one by our police staff.”

Among the cases is one related to an alleged attempt to murder her neighbour. Police confirmed that Sujatha is currently in judicial custody.

The controversy has intensified political tensions in Hubballi, with the BJP accusing the police of acting at the behest of Congress leaders, while the police maintain that the arrest was lawful and that the allegations are unfounded.