New Delhi: Underlining the need for urgent investigation and quick action in the alleged rape case of a 25-year old woman, the National Commission for Women took suomotu cognizance on Friday.
The NCW raised concerns over the rape of a woman on a moving bus by one of its drivers during its journey from Uttar Pradesh to Noida on Monday.
The Commission’s chief, Rekha Sharma, in a letter addressing the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh H.C. Awasthi said, “Considering the gravity of the matter, it is requested that the investigation shall be done immediately and action be taken against the culprit.”
The NCW further said regarding the incident in the overnight bus, “An action taken report be sent to the Commission by E-mail/Fax.”
Ms. Sharma also got vocal and spoke about her worries related to the rise in crimes against women in the nation, even after the implementation of strict laws and punishments.
In a tweet, the womens’ body said, “@NCWIndia has taken cognisance of the heinous crime and Chairperson @sharmarekha has written to@dgpup for immediate investigation in the matter. #NCW condemns this brutality and has demanded strict action against the culprit.”
https://mobile.twitter.com/NCWIndia/status/1273899994496397313
The victim was on her way to Noida from Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh with her minor children. She said that she was raped inside the moving bus by its driver between the stretch of Lucknow and Mathura, the police told the media on Wednesday.
The accused driver is on the run. Nevertheless, the other driver has been arrested for intimidating the woman.
According to the police, the incident took place in an overnight sleeper bus, in the presence of 12-13 other passengers. No one came forward to help her. The rape happened in the moving bus, however, the time hasn’t been exacted due to the sensitivity of the situation.
The victim booked her complaint at the Gautam Buddha Nagar Police station after reaching Noida on Tuesday morning.
“An FIR was immediately registered. The bus has been seized. One person identified has been arrested. A medical board constituted will examine the victim. All co-passengers are being traced and will be questioned. Forensic team will inspect the bus,” Vrinda Shukla, DCP (Women Cell) GautamBuddh Nagar.
According to the police, the woman’s husband works in Noida. She was journeying from her home in Pratapgarh to meet him along with her two children.
The young woman in her complaint stated even though the journey began late at night, she remained awake until they reached Lucknow. After midnight, she said that she fell asleep.
“However, she was not very clear about the time at which the incident took place,” said DCP Vrinda Shukla.
The woman, along with her husband, registered the complaint after reaching Noida. A case has been filed and the accused suspects have been booked under sections 376 (punishment for rape) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The police is presently using technical and local surveillance to catch the rest of theaccused people. It is also interrogating the owner of the bus who is based out of Ghaziabad.
The police stated that the woman was allotted the last seat in the bus on purpose. The accused forced themselves on her taking advantage of the place.
The driver who has been arrested had threatened her with dire consequences if she raised any complaints regarding the incident. After the woman got down the bus, her husband had come to pick her and she spoke about the entire situation to him after which they informed the police.
The bus was seized from the spot and it’s owner traced to Delhi’s Anand Vihar who has also been questioned in connection with the case, the police said.
