Ragpicker arrested for attempting to rape student in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A 27-year-old ragpicker was arrested on charges of attempting to rape a 23-year-old psychology student when she was walking near her paying guest accommodation in Pattandur Agrahara, Whitefield, during the early hours of June 2.

The accused, Saifal Mondal, from West Bengal, is a resident of Pattandur Agrahara. Based on the student’s complaint, Mondal was arrested on attempted rape charges and sent to Bengaluru Central Prison.

The student, who is pursuing a master’s degree in psychology and is from Kerala, was returning to her PG accommodation from her friend’s house when the incident happened around 3.30am. According to the student, she alighted from the auto near a bakery, located around 150 metres from her PG, and started walking.

“The girl said she would visit the bakery several times in the past during wee hours, and thus felt safe to walk from there. Between the bakery and her PG, there are dimly lit lanes and Mondal was collecting waste materials there. He saw the girl walking alone, groped her from behind and tried to drag her away,” police said.

Shocked by the sudden attack, the student tried to resist, but was unsuccessful. “By then, the accused had dragged her for over 20 metres. She shouted at the top of her voice. Hearing her screams, a few residents, who had woken up, rushed out of their homes. Seeing them, the accused fled the scene,” an investigating officer said.

“Mondal had left behind his gunny bag, which helped us realise he was a ragpicker. We visited several slums in the area and questioned people about the bag. Within hours of the incident, we arrested Mondal,” a senior police officer said.