New Delhi, September 1: Delhi Police have arrested a sleeper-bus driver and conductor in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl from Uttar Pradesh, who was found in a distressed condition near Ring Road in the Kashmere Gate area, officials said.
According to the police investigation, the teenager had left her home in Mainpuri following a disagreement with her mother and was travelling to meet a relative in Sector 63, Noida.
After reaching Pari Chowk in Greater Noida, she reportedly boarded a sleeper bus after being told that it was heading towards her intended destination.
Police said the girl boarded the bus at around 9 pm on August 4 and remained on it for nearly three hours.
Investigators found that the journey took substantially longer than the usual travel time between the locations.
Around midnight, an auto-rickshaw driver reportedly noticed the girl near Ring Road. She was allegedly crying and appeared distressed and confused.
The driver took her to the Kashmere Gate Police Station, where she provided her father’s contact details and informed police about the alleged assault.
Investigators subsequently examined surveillance footage from various locations. Police said the survivor was able to identify the bus and the two men allegedly involved in the incident.
The accused, identified as driver Kuldeep and conductor Sandeep, were arrested on August 5, police said.
During questioning, the accused reportedly claimed that they had picked up the girl after finding her stranded near Pari Chowk in rainy weather. Police are examining their statements alongside other evidence collected during the investigation.
Investigators have also collected forensic material, including hair strands and towels, from the bus for examination.
The survivor received medical treatment following the incident and was subsequently handed over to her father.
Police are continuing the investigation and examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence, medical findings and other material to establish the sequence of events. Since the case involves a minor, the identity of the survivor is protected under law.
