A Navi Mumbai school bus driver was arrested for allegedly assaulting a three-year-old girl. (File photo)
NAVI MUMBAI: A 30-year-old school bus driver was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl inside the vehicle after she became the last student to be dropped home in Kamothe on Wednesday afternoon, police said. Police have booked him under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those dealing with rape of a girl below the age of 12, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. On Wednesday, at around 12.30pm, the driver picked up kindergarten and primary school students in Kamothe to drop them home.
Following the girl’s medical examination, which police said confirmed sexual assault, a case was registered against the driver.
The girl travelled to and from school daily on the private bus along with other children, according to police. Police said the accused allegedly took advantage of the situation and sexually assaulted the child. Police said statements of school management staff would also be recorded as part of the investigation.
The accused was driving a private bus hired by the school to ferry students. After the other children had alighted at their respective destinations, the three-year-old was allegedly left alone in the bus with the driver. The grandmother first raised the matter with the school management and subsequently approached the police.
The accused was produced before a Panvel court on Thursday and remanded in police custody till Saturday.