A teenage girl from Punjab was allegedly gang-raped by five individuals on a Uttarakhand government bus parked at Dehradun’s Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT).
The incident reportedly occurred after the bus had arrived from Delhi, with the assault taking place late at night when the bus was parked and all passengers had disembarked.
The girl, who had run away from home, was found by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) sitting alone at the bus terminal on August , leading to the discovery of the heinous act.
After the girl was found in a distressed state at the bus stand on August 13, police arrested the suspects.
The accused, identified as Dharmendra Kumar, Devendra Kumar, Rajpal, Ravi Kumar, and Rajesh Kumar, include employees of the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. The police arrested the individuals following a thorough review of CCTV footage which helped in identifying the bus involved in the crime.
SSP Ajay Singh confirmed the arrests, stating that the bus has been impounded and a forensic team is currently collecting evidence from the vehicle. The case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, highlighting the gravity of the crime due to the victim’s age.
The Uttarakhand government has promised a thorough investigation, with officials indicating that this case will be used to reassess safety protocols for public transport. The incident reflected a broader issue of systemic failures in ensuring safety for women and minors across India.
This case comes at a time when the nation is grappling with its image concerning women’s safety.