School bus conductor molests child, held

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 13

In a shocking incident, the Chandigarh Police today arrested a 23-year-old school bus conductor for allegedly molesting a five-year-old girl studying in KG at Stepping Stones School in Sector 38. The police arrested Jagjeet, the school conductor, in a case of molestation (Sections 354 & 354 A of the IPC) and various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

According to a complaint submitted to the Sector 39 police station, the victim’s mother alleged that her daughter returned home last Thursday and was visibly frightened and refused to say anything. Upon being asked, she started crying and disclosed that the “conductor in her school bus touches her private parts and molests her” on finding her alone on the bus as she is the last one to be dropped. The girl also had red rashes on her chest.

She said the conductor also threatened the child when she cried, and told her not to tell about it to anyone else. There was no woman employee of the school in that bus.

“She was keeping quiet since the last many days and was reluctant to go to school,” said her mother.

The girls parents brought the matter to the notice of the school principal immediately. They alleged that the school authorities told them then that the conductor will be sacked. However, Jagjeet, again came on duty in the bus this Monday following which the girl’s parents went to the school again with a complaint.

The parents alleged that school principal Sanjiv Kumar refused to take action and it was only when parents of students created a hue and cry in the school that the matter was brought to the notice of the police and a case registered.

Police acted immediately: SP

“We acted immediately on receiving a complaint from the girl’s parents. A case has been registered,” said SP (City) Parvinder Singh.

Children’s safety schools’ responsiblity: STA

The State Transport Authority (STA), SK Jain, said it was the responsibility of the schools and bus operators to ensure that children were safe in the school buses. After the Delhi incident, directions had been issued to the school authorities and school bus operators to adhere to the standard guidelines. Circulars were also sent to the school authorities to ensure the safety of students.

 The STA said school buses were not passed without checking police verification record of the school bus crew. The schools and bus operators had been asked to submit personal records of drivers and helpers of their school buses.