A chilling incident at a co-living paying guest (PG) facility in Bengaluru has left residents on edge after a 24-year-old bank employee was brutally attacked in her room. The accused, Saibabu Chennuru, was arrested for allegedly forcing his way into the woman’s room at 3 a.m., stabbing her in the back, attempting to sexually assault her, and extorting money, police reported.

Chennuru, who had recently befriended the victim, allegedly entered her room in the early hours, armed with a knife. He stabbed the woman, took compromising photos, and attempted to coerce her into sexual activity, threatening to kill her if she resisted. Adding to the horror, he demanded Rs 70,000, forcibly transferred Rs 14,000 from her phone to his account, and warned her against reporting the incident, threatening to circulate the photos. The victim’s courage in reporting the crime led to Chennuru’s swift arrest, and police are investigating further, including his motives and potential prior offenses.

This incident follows another disturbing case in Bengaluru, reported on August 29, 2025, where a 23-year-old woman at another women’s PG was sexually harassed and robbed. The perpetrator, Naresh Pattam, a 30-year-old bike-taxi driver from Andhra Pradesh’s Madanapalle, broke into the facility and locked all rooms on the floor from the outside before entering the victim’s room. While she slept, he allegedly touched her inappropriately, scratched her legs with his nails, and assaulted her when she resisted. Armed with a knife, he stole Rs 2,500 from her cupboard before fleeing. CCTV footage aided police in apprehending Pattam two days later. Authorities revealed he had a criminal history, having been released on bail in 2021 for two robbery cases in his hometown.

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These back-to-back incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of women in Bengaluru’s PG accommodations, often marketed as secure living spaces for young professionals. Residents and activists are demanding stricter regulations for PG facilities, including enhanced security measures like 24/7 surveillance, secure entry systems, and thorough background checks for tenants.

The Bengaluru police have vowed to crack down on such crimes, urging PG operators to prioritize tenant safety. As investigations continue, these cases highlight the urgent need for systemic changes to protect vulnerable residents in urban co-living spaces.

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