Delhi: 16-year-old student allegedly gang-raped aboard moving sleeper bus, two arrested

Police subsequently arrested both accused from a bus parking lot in Timarpur and seized the sleeper bus allegedly used in the crime. Representational Pic

A 16-year-old student from Uttar Pradesh was allegedly gang-raped aboard a moving sleeper bus that travelled nearly 47 kilometres across the National Capital Region before the suspects abandoned her near a major transit terminal, police said, reported ANI.

The incident reportedly took place on the night of August 4 in the Kashmere Gate area. Police have arrested the bus driver, Kuldeep, and conductor, Sandeep, in connection with the case.

Student was travelling to Noida

According to police sources, the victim is a Class 11 student from Mainpuri district in Uttar Pradesh.

Police said the student had left home without informing her family following a disagreement and was travelling to Noida to visit her cousin, reported ANI.

Amid heavy rain and darkness, she reportedly got off at Pari Chowk by mistake. Around the same time, an empty sleeper bus passed by.

Stranded in the rain, the student signalled the bus to stop and sought assistance. The driver and conductor allegedly allowed her to board, telling her that the bus was headed towards Noida Sector 63.

Driver, conductor allegedly assaulted student

According to the victim's statement, shortly after the bus began moving, the conductor allegedly made obscene advances towards her.

Police said the driver and conductor subsequently allegedly raped the student and threatened to kill her when she resisted.

The accused allegedly abandoned her on Ring Road near the Kashmere Gate bus terminal late at night before fleeing the spot.

Police arrest two accused

The distressed student contacted the Kashmere Gate Police and reported the alleged assault.

Police subsequently arrested both accused from a bus parking lot in Timarpur and seized the sleeper bus allegedly used in the crime. The vehicle has been sent for forensic examination.

Bus had been taken for repairs

According to police sources, the accused had taken the bus to a workshop in Surajpur after it developed a mechanical fault, reported ANI.

Police said that after repairs were completed, the driver and conductor were taking the empty bus to Timarpur when they encountered the student at Pari Chowk.

The bus travelled approximately 47 kilometres from Pari Chowk to Kashmere Gate. Police said the vehicle's sleeper compartments were equipped with curtains, which meant that people outside the bus could not see what was happening inside.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

(With ANI inputs)