History repeats? Bus employees sexually assault 4-year-old in Manipal
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Udupi, Sep 22: In a grim reminder of the gang-rape of a Manipal University student that shook the coastal region three months ago, a girl who is yet to turn four was allegedly assaulted sexually by three men in the same town. The incident came to light almost a week later.
The police on Sunday September 22 arrested Shubhakumar (24), a resident of Hebri, and Sudheer (46), a resident of Adarshnagar, Manipal, in this regard. Both are said to be conductors working for the school buses in her school, and also part time auto rickshaw drivers.
Sources said that the girl, aged 3 years and 10 months, studying in nursery in Madhavakripa School at Manipal, used to go home every evening by school bus.
The school has about 9-10 buses. On Monday September 16, she missed her regular bus, and was reportedly directed into a different school bus by one of the accused, who promised to leave her home. Shubhakumar and Sudheer along with another employee then allegedly exploited the girl sexually. It is not yet known whether they took her to a deserted spot or committed the crime inside the bus.
As the girl did not return home at the usual time, her parents grew worried and approached the school authorities. A search was conducted but she could not be found.
Meanwhile, the accused, after committing the crime, dropped her home by auto rickshaw. The girl who was distressed revealed the incident to her parents two days later, sources said.
When the parents complained to the school authorities, it was found that the accused had gone absconding.
A case was registered on Friday September 20. The police are on the lookout for the third accused, sources said.
The girl was taken for medical examination.
Manipal police who took up initial investigation have handed over the case to Udupi police, sources said. The accused were produced before the magistrate late in the night and sent to judicial custody. They will be produced in the court on Monday September 23.
Meanwhile, members of Udupi Rises for Justice against Atrocities (URJAA) demanded strict action against the accused and urged that an unbiased investigation be done into the case.