Rajkot School Van Driver Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault of Minor Student
A shocking case has emerged from Rajkot where a 35-year-old school van driver has been arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old Class 9 student. The accused, identified as Ramesh Khara, was taken into custody by Malaviya Nagar police after the victim's mother filed a formal complaint.
Grooming and Escalation of Abuse
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Khara had been grooming the young girl for some time before the alleged assault. He reportedly used his position of trust to build a relationship with the victim, offering her chocolates and initiating frequent conversations through WhatsApp messaging.
The situation escalated dramatically on January 17 when Khara made inappropriate sexual advances while driving the girl home after her school examinations. When the victim resisted his advances, Khara allegedly resorted to intimidation tactics, threatening to harass her further if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
Detailed Account of the Assault
The abuse continued on January 19 when Khara drove the school van to a secluded road near Saurashtra High School. Police sources revealed that the accused took deliberate measures to conceal his actions, covering the van's windows with black mesh screens to prevent passersby from witnessing what was happening inside the vehicle.
Despite the girl's desperate pleas and physical resistance, Khara allegedly assaulted her inside the van before eventually dropping her off at her residence. The victim had been traveling to school in Khara's van for approximately one year prior to these incidents.
Discovery and Police Action
The matter came to light when the victim's 41-year-old mother, who works for a private company, noticed a drastic change in her daughter's behavior. The once cheerful teenager had become unusually withdrawn and silent following her school examinations. After days of gentle coaxing by concerned family members, the girl finally revealed the traumatic sequence of events involving her school van driver.
"We arrested the accused as soon as the FIR was registered and seized the van used in committing the crime," stated J R Desai, the investigating officer handling the case. Police have confirmed that Khara himself has a 12-year-old daughter, adding another layer of disturbing context to the allegations.
Legal Charges and Community Response
Khara has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, specifically Sections 75 (2), 64 (1), and 351 (3). Additionally, he faces charges under Sections 4 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which provides enhanced legal protection for minors.
The incident has sparked intense debate throughout Rajkot regarding the safety protocols for private school transportation services. The school principal, who was informed about the crime by the victim's family, expressed profound shock and has assured full cooperation with investigating authorities.
This case highlights critical concerns about child safety in educational environments and the vulnerabilities that can exist even in seemingly routine aspects of school life. The community awaits further developments as the legal process unfolds and authorities work to ensure justice for the young victim.
