Weeks after the horrific incident in Maharashtra’s Badlapur, a similar case was reported from Pune where a school van driver was arrested on Thursday for allegedly sexually assaulting two girl students—both aged six.
The accused has been identified as Sanjay Reddy (45), a resident of Hadapsar on the outskirts of the city
According to reports, the incident took place inside the van on September 30 when the students were returning home from school in Wanwadi.
"The accused allegedly touched the private parts of both the victims when they were returning home from the school,” a police officer told news agency PTI.
A few other reports claimed that Reddy used to make the two girls sit next to him and while driving he indulged in the objectionable acts of ‘sexually touching’ them.
The incident came to light after one of the girls narrated the incident to her mother who then informed the school authorities.
The accused was arrested under sections 64 (punishment for rape) and 65 (2) (punishment for rape on woman under twelve years of age) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Protests erupted in the area with local people and activists of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) shattering the windscreens of the van and damaging its body.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alleged that the accused got help from some local politician to flee, but he has been caught by the police.
“We are not concerned about this… an accused is an accused. Strict action will be taken against him and also against those who helped him escape,” he said.
Maharashtra State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar directed Puen Police to take strong action in the case. “The girls have been sent for a medical examination and also to the Child Welfare Committee. The accused has been nabbed. The MSCW has directed the Pune Police to probe the matter thoroughly and take action against the accused,” she said.
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In a similar incident in August, a sweeper in a school at Badlapur in Thane district was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two four-year-old girls. The incident had triggered a massive outrage in the state.
The accused, Akshay Shinde, was arrested, but he was later killed in an alleged shoot-out with police on September 23.