Arrests Made in Alleged Gang Rape of Minor in Delhi Bus Incident

Authorities from the Delhi Police have arrested the driver and conductor of a sleeper bus following allegations of gang rape involving a 16-year-old girl from Uttar Pradesh. The incident reportedly occurred earlier this month, after the girl boarded the bus in Greater Noida, with the suspects misleading her about the vehicle's destination.

According to police reports, the girl left her residence in Mainpuri on August 3, seeking to visit her cousin in Sector 63, Noida, after being reprimanded by her mother regarding her studies. She intended to catch a bus but accidentally disembarked at Pari Chowk when it became dark and began to rain. At this point, she noticed a bus approaching and gestured for it to stop.

The conductor allegedly misled her into believing that the bus was heading towards Sector 63, and she boarded it. At the time, there were no other passengers aboard. Once the bus was in motion, both the driver and the conductor allegedly assaulted her. Reports indicate that they threatened her with lethal harm when she resisted.

The bus transported the victim a distance of approximately 47 kilometres, from Pari Chowk in Greater Noida to Kashmere Gate in Delhi, where she was dropped off early on August 4. The journey included travel along the Greater Noida-Noida Expressway, entering Delhi through Chilla border, and passing through Mayur Vihar before reaching the destination. Notably, the bus had curtains obscuring its windows, complicating any external visibility of the interior.

Following the assault, the victim approached personnel at the Kashmere Gate police station, where a First Information Report was filed under offences including gang rape, kidnapping, and assault, citing provisions from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

In a swift investigation, a Delhi Police team analysed CCTV footage, which led them to the bus parked in Timarpur, approximately 15 minutes from Kashmere Gate. The suspects, both in their twenties and originating from Kanpur, were arrested within four hours of the incident. They initially claimed that the bus had a mechanical issue and had been taken for repairs when they allegedly spotted the victim and decided to mislead her.

Despite the successful apprehension of the accused, the case has gained attention for a jurisdictional conflict between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh authorities. UP Police officials have asserted that the incident was not communicated to them prior to the public disclosure of the arrests by the Delhi Police, despite allegations suggesting the assault occurred within Gautam Buddh Nagar jurisdiction.

Delhi Police officials stated that under the current legal provisions, crimes against women can be reported and pursued regardless of the jurisdiction, but UP police have expressed concerns regarding communication. Madhur Verma, the Delhi joint commissioner of police, emphasised their commitment to professionalism in handling the case.

In light of the sensitive nature of the incident, DCP Niharika Bhatt confirmed that the girl was provided with medical assistance, a procedural requirement given the circumstances of the case. As investigations continue, community responses have expressed outrage over the incident, prompting discussions on safety and legal measures pertaining to women's rights and protection in public transport.