In a disturbing incident that has raised serious concerns about child safety during school commutes, the Bharati Vidyapeeth police in Pune detained a school van driver on Monday evening. The driver faces allegations of inappropriately touching a Standard VI student while she was alone in the vehicle.
Sequence of Events in Katraj
The incident unfolded late on Monday afternoon. According to police officials, the student was the last child remaining in the van after the driver, identified as a backup driver, had dropped all other students at their homes. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II) Milind Mohite provided details of the case.
The driver reportedly did not stop near the girl's residence as he should have. Instead, he drove the van to an isolated spot in the Katraj area. Police stated that the driver then checked the student's school bag before touching her inappropriately. Showing immense courage, the girl ran out of the van, screaming for help.
Public Intervention and Police Action
The girl's cries alerted locals, leading to a swift public response. Approximately 15 to 20 people gathered at the scene, caught the van driver, and administered a beating before alerting the police. The Bharati Vidyapeeth police team arrived promptly and took the accused into custody.
DCP Mohite confirmed that the girl is a student of a semi-English school in Pune. The police have initiated the process to register a formal case against the driver under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Ensuring the child's well-being was a priority, and a team of women police constables provided immediate counselling to the student.
Broader Implications for Student Safety
This alarming event has highlighted critical gaps in the safety protocols for school transportation. The fact that the alleged assailant was a backup driver raises questions about vetting procedures for temporary staff. Authorities are likely to scrutinize the policies of private van operators and schools regarding driver verification and the presence of attendants when children are being transported.
The incident serves as a grim reminder for parents and educational institutions to reinforce safety conversations with children and rigorously verify the credentials of all transport staff. The Pune police's prompt action in applying the POCSO Act underscores the legal seriousness with which such offences against minors are treated.
