Off-Route Sleeper Bus, Drawn Curtains and an Alleged Assault in Delhi-NCR

 A 17-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a bus driver and conductor after boarding a sleeper bus

By Sakshi

New Delhi, September 1: A 17-year-old girl who left her home following a disagreement with her parents on August 4 was allegedly sexually assaulted by a bus driver and conductor after boarding a sleeper bus at Pari Chowk in Greater Noida.

The two accused, identified as driver Kuldeep and conductor Sandeep, were arrested within three hours of the incident after they were traced to Timarpur, where they were allegedly resting in the bus.

According to Delhi Police, the alleged assault took place over a distance of around 30 km, from Pari Chowk to Noida Sector 63, while the driver and conductor were at the wheel.

The accused allegedly abandoned the girl near Kashmere Gate after taking her through Delhi, apparently believing that leaving her far from the alleged crime scene would make it difficult to trace the incident back to them. The bus windows were covered with curtains.

The alleged assault took place in Noida. Delhi Police initiated an investigation after the girl approached the police in Delhi and reported the incident.

The girl told police that the accused threatened to kill her when she resisted the alleged assault.

Delhi Police said the chargesheet in the case is likely to be filed this week.

 While looking for help, she saw an empty sleeper bus passing through the area and sought assistance.

How the Incident Unfolded

On the night of August 4, the girl reportedly left her home in Manipur and travelled towards Noida Sector 63 to meet her cousin at her uncle's house.

She reached Pari Chowk but reportedly got off at the wrong location because of heavy rain and darkness. While looking for help, she saw an empty sleeper bus passing through the area and sought assistance.

According to a senior police officer, the driver and conductor stopped the bus, told her they were heading towards Noida Sector 63 and allowed her to board. It later emerged that the bus was not operating on any scheduled route at the time.

Kuldeep and Sandeep, both from Kanpur, had been working with the bus company for around two years. They had reportedly been instructed to take the vehicle for repairs.

Monu Gupta, manager of the travel company that owns the bus, said the vehicle had been at a workshop in Surajpur from July 27 until August 4 because its sensor was not functioning.

"The bus had been at a workshop in Surajpur for repairs from July 27 until August 4, as its sensor was not functioning. It remained at the workshop until August 4. Around 9 pm that day, they took it out. I had instructed them to take the bus to Timarpur for further repairs," Gupta said.

The accused were reportedly returning from Siraspur when the teenager flagged down the bus.

Soon after the bus started moving, the conductor allegedly began making advances towards the girl.

Niharika Bhatt, DCP (North), said, "Both men sexually assaulted her inside the moving bus from Pari Chowk to Noida Sector 63 and threatened to kill her when she resisted."

The bus then continued towards Delhi. Police said the curtains covering the windows meant that people outside could not see what was happening inside.

The accused allegedly abandoned the girl on Ring Road near Kashmere Gate before leaving the area. She subsequently approached a nearby police station and reported the incident.

Police traced the accused to Timarpur and arrested both men. The sleeper bus was seized and sent for forensic examination. Police have also collected CCTV footage from the route taken by the bus.

The girl was produced before the Child Welfare Committee and handed over to her father as per the committee's directions.

Police Versions Differ

Delhi Police had not provided information about the incident to Noida Police before August 31, according to Ravi Shankar Nim, DCP Greater Noida.

"There are certain discrepancies between the authentic evidence available in connection with the incident and the version that has been issued. It is also noted that the survivor's side has not provided any information regarding the incident to Gautam Buddh Nagar Police either," Nim said.

A source in the Uttar Pradesh Police said officials had contacted the transporters, who claimed that there were passengers on the bus until Mayur Vihar and denied that an assault had taken place as alleged by the minor.

Delhi Police, however, said the bus was not operating on the route and that no passenger was present when the alleged incident occurred.

The Delhi Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and directed that the investigation be expedited. It has also sought an action-taken report within seven days.

The girl's identity has not been disclosed to protect her privacy in accordance with Supreme Court directives concerning cases of sexual assault.