Shivani
Delhi Police has filed a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, following the incident. Authorities are investigating the matter and taking necessary legal action under the applicable provisions. Delhi Police has registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl inside a moving sleeper bus in Delhi-NCR. Recently, actress Bhumi Pednekar has strongly condemned the disturbing incident. The case has renewed concerns over women’s safety and security lapses on private buses, while the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also taken cognisance of the matter.
Bhumi Pednekar Raises Concern Over Women’s Safety
Taking to Instagram Stories on Monday, Bhumi reacted to the disturbing case, questioning how such incidents continue despite repeated discussions surrounding women’s safety and growing concerns about their protection. “How can we see this happen again and again and again! Shame!”
Teen Allegedly Raped Aboard Moving Bus
According to a Hindustan Times report, Delhi Police arrested the driver and conductor of a sleeper bus for allegedly gang-raping a 16-year-old girl from Uttar Pradesh. The accused reportedly tricked her into boarding the bus in Greater Noida earlier this month. They allegedly drove her around Delhi-NCR before abandoning the teenager near Kashmere Gate.
The case has sparked a jurisdictional dispute, with Uttar Pradesh Police claiming Delhi Police did not inform them about the incident, despite the alleged assault occurring within the Gautam Buddh Nagar Commissionerate’s jurisdiction. According to Delhi Police, the Class 11 student from Mainpuri left home on August 3 following a scolding from her mother over studies. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Niharika Bhatt said the girl was travelling to her cousin’s residence in Sector 63, Noida, when she left home.
The teenager told police she accidentally got off at Pari Chowk as darkness fell and heavy rain started. Stranded there, she spotted an approaching bus and signalled the driver to stop. An officer familiar with the investigation said the conductor allegedly told her the bus was headed towards Sector 63, prompting her to board it.
Police said the bus had no other passengers at the time. Shortly after it started moving, the conductor allegedly behaved inappropriately towards the girl. The conductor and driver then allegedly sexually assaulted her inside the moving vehicle. When she resisted, both men allegedly threatened to kill her, according to the police.
Two Accused Arrested Within Hours of the Incident
Following the complaint, Delhi Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The teenager underwent a medical examination, which confirmed that she had been assaulted.
Using CCTV footage and investigation findings, police traced the bus to a parking area in Timarpur, north Delhi. The vehicle was seized and sent for forensic examination. The girl was subsequently presented before the Child Welfare Committee and, following its directions, was handed over to her father for further care and protection.
Bhumi Pednekar’s Upcoming Projects and Work Front
On the work front, Bhumi Pednekar was last seen in Daldal, portraying DCP Rita Ferreira, a police officer haunted by her past while investigating a series of murders in Mumbai. The crime thriller is based on Vish Dhamija’s bestselling novel Bhendi Bazaar and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video for viewers. Before Daldal, Bhumi appeared in films including Mere Husband Ki Biwi, Khel Khel Mein, and the critically acclaimed Bhakshak.