A grave controversy has engulfed Karnataka, igniting a fierce political firestorm following explosive allegations by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) woman activist who claims she was stripped and brutally assaulted by police personnel during her arrest in Hubballi. The shocking incident, which reportedly occurred within the Keshwapur police station limits, has sparked widespread public outrage and condemnation from various quarters, further escalating tensions between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP in the state.
The heart of the controversy revolves around Sujatha Handi, also known as Vijayalaxmi Handi, a BJP worker, who was taken into custody on January 5, 2026. According to her allegations, police officers resorted to physical assault and disrobed her during the arrest. A video purportedly showing the woman partially unclothed inside a police vehicle, surrounded by both male and female personnel, has gone viral across social media platforms, amplifying the gravity of the accusations and drawing sharp reactions.
Police authorities in Hubballi, however, have vehemently denied these serious charges. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar categorically rejected the claims of assault and stripping, presenting a dramatically different account of the events. According to the police version, Sujatha Handi resisted arrest fiercely, even allegedly attacking officers by biting and kicking them, including in their private parts. The police assert that she deliberately removed her own clothes in an attempt to create a scene and evade legal action. Commissioner Shashikumar stated that women police personnel, with the assistance of local residents, immediately intervened to cover her and ensure she was properly clothed, reiterating that the allegations of police misconduct are entirely false.
The genesis of this deeply contentious incident is rooted in a local dispute linked to a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive of the voter list in Hubballi’s Chalukya Nagar area. Sujatha Handi was reportedly involved in voter mapping as part of this revision process. A complaint against her was lodged by Hubballi-Dharwad Congress corporator Suvarna Kallakuntla. Sources indicate that an existing political rivalry between workers of the BJP and the Congress escalated during this voter list exercise, culminating in the complaint that led to Handi’s arrest.
Beyond the initial voter list dispute, police officials have also stated that Sujatha Handi was being arrested in connection with more serious charges, including an “attempt to murder” case under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code, and for obstructing public servants from performing their official duties. Police authorities further claimed that Handi has a history of multiple previous cases registered against her, with some reports citing as many as nine cases, including allegations of blackmailing and honey-trapping, which they presented to question her credibility and contextualize her alleged resistance.
The political fallout has been immediate and severe. BJP leaders swiftly condemned the police action, branding it as “inhuman,” “atrocious,” and “politically motivated.” They accused the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka of orchestrating targeted harassment and demanded immediate and stringent action against the police officers involved. The Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, publicly voiced his outrage, alleging that the incident was another example of “hate politics” being carried out by the state government. Conversely, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly attributed blame to the arrested woman, suggesting her actions contributed to the escalation.
Adding another layer of scrutiny to the controversy, women’s rights activists have also weighed in, expressing grave concerns. Noted activist Brinda Adige described the alleged incident as “unacceptable and atrocious,” emphasizing that the dignity and constitutional rights of a citizen, regardless of their political affiliation, must be protected by law enforcement. Adige questioned the training and preparedness of police personnel, particularly female officers, in handling such sensitive situations, highlighting that a lack of protective measures around the woman, even if she initiated the disrobing, constituted a failure on the part of the police. The Karnataka State Commission For Women has taken official cognisance of the matter, initiating a detailed inquiry and seeking a comprehensive report from senior police officials to verify facts and identify those responsible should the allegations of police brutality be substantiated. The incident continues to be a focal point of intense debate, raising critical questions about policing procedures, political interference, and women’s safety in the state.
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