A contract conductor with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a woman passenger on a public bus, police said on Friday. The incident came to light after a video showing the conductor’s inappropriate behavior went viral on social media, sparking widespread public outrage. The accused, identified as Pradeep Kashappa Naikar, 35, from Bagalkote district, was arrested by Konaje police on Thursday. According to officials, the incident occurred on Wednesday aboard a KSRTC bus operating on the Mudipu–State Bank route, which services commuters in and around Mangaluru city. In the video, the conductor can be seen standing uncomfortably close to the woman passenger, making inappropriate advances despite her visible discomfort. Police acted swiftly after the video was brought to their attention, registering a case and initiating an investigation. “We took the incident very seriously after the video surfaced. The accused has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway,” a senior police official said. The woman passenger has reportedly given a statement to the police and is being provided necessary support. KSRTC officials have stated that the conductor was employed on a contract basis and that strict action would be taken following the outcome of the investigation. “We have zero tolerance for such behavior. If the allegations are found to be true, his services will be terminated immediately,” a KSRTC spokesperson said. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of women in public transport systems and sparked renewed calls for better surveillance, stricter background checks for staff, and swift disciplinary action in such cases.
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