Bhumi Pednekar has condemned the alleged assault of a 17-year-old girl from Uttar Pradesh on a sleeper bus while travelling from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh to Noida on August 4. The actress raised questions regarding the safety of women in the country amid cases of heinous crimes.
The Delhi Police has already arrested the bus driver and conductor, as confirmed by the officials to a media agency. Bhumi shared the news on her Instagram Stories and condemned the incident. This has once again triggered reactions from the common public, especially women.
Bhumi Pednekar reacts to assault of a 17-year-old girl
wrote on Instagram Stories, “How can we see this happen again and again and again! Shame!” Apart from the actress, the common public has been reacting to the incident on social media.
Delhi Police initiates investigation
According to ANI, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North District Niharika Bhatt spoke about the incident and said the girl approached Kashmiri Gate police station after being dropped on Ring Road by the accused. In an official statement, Bhatt shared, “During questioning, it was revealed that she was travelling from Mainpuri, UP, to a relative’s house in Sector 63, Noida. The rape occurred en route between Pari Chowk (Greater Noida) and Sector 63, Noida.”
The ANI report suggested that the police registered a case, arranged her medical examination and traced the bus with the help of CCTV footage, leading to the arrest of both accused within a few hours. The police said that the sleeper bus has been seized and is undergoing forensic examination.
DCP Bhatt further said that with the help of CCTV footage, police traced the bus and arrested both accused within a few hours. The teenager was produced before the Child Welfare Committee and, as per its directions, was handed over to her father. The investigation into the case is underway.
NHRC steps in to look into the case
On the other hand, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of the incident and issued notices to the concerned authorities. Talking to ANI, NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said the commission had sought details regarding the child’s rehabilitation, social investigation and care plan.
He also said the NHRC has been repeatedly raising concerns over sleeper coach bus partitions and directed states to strictly comply with Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) guidelines.