Udupi police release photo of man accused of sexually harassing 5-year-old, Laxmi Hebbalkar directs swift action

Udupi: The Udupi police have released the pictures of a man accused of sexually harassing a five-year-old.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Dr Arun K said that the incident took place on January 23.

The child was playing near a shop belonging to her relatives when a man showed a hand gesture to offer her chocolate. Later, he took the child near a narrow lane situated 20 metres away from the shop and touched her inappropriately.

However, as soon as the child raised the alarm, he fled. Hearing her scream, locals and her relatives rushed to the spot. A case under the Pocso Act has been registered at the Women’s Police Station.

The SP said that CCTV footage in the area was reviewed and it was learned that he came for begging and was seen conversing in Kannada and Tulu.

The child is undergoing counselling.

The police have appealed to the public to report to the police if they come across him by dialing the control room: 9480805400, women’s police station inspector: 9480805430.

Meanwhile, District in Charge Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, who is also Minister for Women and Child Development, has directed swift action regarding the case of sexual harassment of a five-year-old girl by an unknown person in Udupi.

Despite being hospitalised due to an accident, Minister Hebbalkar immediately contacted the Superintendent of Police and the Deputy Commissioner to obtain details of the incident. She instructed them to take the incident seriously, apprehend the accused at the earliest, and provide all necessary assistance to the child.