Dehradun News: Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a teenage girl on a Uttarakhand government bus. The incident reportedly occurred on August 12 when the bus arrived at the Dehradun bus stand from Delhi, according to police officials. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh of Dehradun confirmed that the arrested individuals include the driver and conductor of the bus.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Dharmendra Kumar (32), the driver, and Devendra (52), the conductor, both residents of Haridwar. Additionally, Ravi Kumar (34) of Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, Rajpal (57) of Haridwar, and Rajesh Kumar Sonkar (38), a cashier with Uttarakhand Roadways posted at the bus stand, have also been apprehended, news agency PTI reported.
The police were alerted to the incident on Saturday evening, prompting action. Authorities identified the bus by reviewing CCTV footage, leading to the arrest of the accused. The bus used in the crime has since been impounded, and a forensic team is gathering evidence from the vehicle.
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Dehradun Rape Case: UP Girl Disclosed Alleged Rape During Counselling, Had Run Away From Home
The incident came to light when the Dehradun Child Welfare Committee (CWC) was informed about a girl, aged 16-17, who was found sitting alone on a bench at platform number 12 of the Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT) in Dehradun late on the night of August 12. The CWC sent the girl to Bal Niketan, a government-run girls’ home, for her safety.
According to PTI, during counselling at Bal Niketan, the girl disclosed the alleged rape, leading CWC member Pratibha Joshi to file a police complaint on Saturday evening.
A case has been registered at Patel Nagar police station under Section 70(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. SSP Ajay Singh has inspected the area, formed a special police team to investigate the case, and met with the victim to inquire about the incident, PTI’s report stated.
During the preliminary investigation, the girl initially told police she was an orphan and a resident of Punjab. However, she later revealed that she was from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, the girl had fled her home on previous occasions without informing her family, as per the report.
The police investigation revealed that Devendra, the conductor, had seen the girl at the Kashmiri Gate ISBT in Delhi, where she was seeking information on how to reach Punjab. Devendra allegedly advised her to board his bus to Dehradun, suggesting she could then take another bus to Punjab via Paonta Sahib.
However, after the bus reached Dehradun and all the passengers disembarked, Devendra and driver Dharmendra allegedly raped her inside the bus. Police stated that when two other drivers, Ravi and Rajpal, learned of the incident, they also entered the bus and allegedly assaulted the girl. Devendra later informed the cashier, Sonkar, who allegedly also raped the girl, according to the report.
The investigation into the case is ongoing, and further details are awaited. The arrested individuals remain in police custody as the probe continues.
